The Patriots aren't exactly in dire need of running back help. They have Rex Burkhead, James White, Mike Gillislee, Jeremy Hill and Brandon Bolden all under contract. Yes, they lost Dion Lewis to the Titans in free agency, but if Burkhead stays healthy, he could potentially offer some of what Lewis did as a dual-threat runner and receiver.
PROTOTYPICAL PATRIOTS - Previously in the series:
- QBs: Rosen, Lauletta check plenty of boxes
- TEs: Time to pick up some Gronk insurance
- WRs: Adding more options to a crowded field
- RBs: They can always use a good one
Still, this draft class is so loaded with talent at running back that the Patriots may have the opportunity to select a player in the middle rounds who in other years would've gone earlier. There's value there.
Penn State star Saquon Barkley will go somewhere in the top seven, it seems, and probably earlier. He's not going to be in New England's range, in all likelihood. But late in the second round? Even into the third and fourth? There are players who have the size, athleticism and traits the Patriots often covet - both in "sub" and "big" backs.
- PERRY'S LATEST MOCK DRAFT - Pats trade down for a QB
Let's take a look...
New England Patriots
PROTOTYPES IN RANGE
RONALD JONES, USC, 5-11, 205 POUNDS
Jones could be the best dual-threat available to the Patriots. He wasn't used heavily in the passing game at USC, but he has the ability to catch it and he understands how to protect. And when asked to run between the tackles, he's a no-nonsense back who protects the football (two fumbles in 591 carries) and is a threat to create a big play at any moment. A hamstring issue prevented him from testing fully during the pre-draft process, but he still recorded a solid 36 1/2-inch vertical at the combine.
SONY MICHEL, GEORGIA, 5-11, 214
Another potentially-versatile option, Michel isn't the water-bug type. He hits holes hard and tries to outrun anyone unlucky enough to be chasing him. Like Jones, he has solid hands and can be relied upon in protection. Athletically, Michel isn't a freak (4.54-second 40, 4.21-second shuttle), but he was a two-year captain at a program that Bill Belichick respects.
DERRIUS GUICE, LSU, 5-10, 224
Guice doesn't have the explosiveness of others the Patriots have selected (31 1/2-inch vertical), but his speed is good (4.49 seconds), and his running style screams "Patriots big back." He could be a first-round choice, and the Patriots reportedly hosted him on a pre-draft top-30 visit.
RASHAAD PENNY, SAN DIEGO STATE, 5-11, 220
Elusive and athletic enough by Patriots standards (4.46-second 40, 32.5-inch vertical, 10-foot broad), Penny is one of the draft's more intriguing talents at the position. He's not ready to step in as a pass-protector, but he certainly knows what he's doing when handed the rock. He led all Division 1 runners last year with 2,248 yards on 289 carries. He was a first-team All-American and he placed fifth in the Heisman voting.
ROYCE FREEMAN, OREGON, 5-11, 229
Another back with good size and impressive enough testing numbers, Freeman could slide in what is thought to be a very deep class of runners. He jumped 34 inches in the vertical and hit 118 inches in the broad jump, both solid numbers for a player his size. His three-cone (6.9 seconds) was also satisfactory based on New England's history drafting at the position. If he's deemed a reliable receiver -- it looks like his hands are relatively dependable -- he could be an interesting all-purpose option in the middle rounds.
KERRYON JOHNSON, AUBURN, 5-11, 213
Did we mention this is a deep class? Johnson's a perfect example of just how deep it is. He's generated very little media buzz, but he's one of the most gifted runners in the class. And he didn't exactly come from out of nowhere. He was a second-team AP All-American last season for his ability to do it all (1,391 yards on 285 carries, 24 catches for 194 yards). Johnson's explosiveness would certainly play in New England. He had a 40-inch vertical, a 126-inch broad to go along with a more pedestrian 7.07-second three-cone at this year's combine.
NICK CHUBB, GEORGIA, 5-11, 227
Chubb isn't a burner (4.52-second 40), but the Patriots haven't been married to 40 times when they've taken backs in the past. He's a very good athlete, even after his devastating leg injury from 2015, and could serve as a first and second-down option who should be available late in the second round if the Patriots want him.
NYHEIM HINES, NC STATE, 5-8, 198
KALEN BALLAGE, ARIZONA STATE, 6-1, 228
AKRUM WADLEY, IOWA, 5-10, 194
CHASE EDMONDS, FORDHAM, 5-9, 205
BO SCARBROUGH, ALABAMA, 6-1, 228
Scarbrough became an internet sensation because of his ridiculous build coming out of high school. He never became a star at 'Bama, but he shouldn't be discounted because the buzz on him early in his career didn't match his production. Scarbrough's size and athleticism (4.52-second 40, 40-inch vertical, 129-inch broad) is rare. Combine that with the coaching he received in college, and perhaps the Patriots see a big back who would be good value in the middle rounds.
IMPERFECT BUT INTRIGUING
JUSTIN JACKSON, NORTHWESTERN, 6-0, 193
MARK WALTON, MIAMI, 5-10, 202
We've written about Walton already in the pre-draft process. There are many reasons to believe he'd be a Patriots fit. But when he tested at the combine, he didn't exactly drop any jaws. His 4.6-second 40 and 31 1/2-inch vert are a little below what the Patriots have typically sought.