James

White

White was drafted by the Patriots in 2014 and played all eight seasons of his career in New England. White rushed only 355 times in his entire career, including the playoffs, totaling 1,424 rushing yards and 16 TDs. White’s value came primarily as a dynamic receiver out of the backfield. In his six seasons with at least 14 games played, White never had less than 40 receptions, peaking with an 87-751-7 regular season receiving line on 123 targets in 2018. White also appeared to get better with age. His yards per route run increased in every season from 2017-2021 and he finished with an elite 2.11 YPRR over his final two seasons. White’s final season was cut short by a hip injury, and the Patriots signed Ty Montgomery in the offseason as an apparent contingency plan. Montgomery, a former wide receiver, will likely play a similar role in the offense this season. Formerly a Day 3 pick out of Wisconsin, White will be remembered as a key contributor for multiple Super Bowl teams, most notably posting a 14-110-1 receiving line on 16 targets and a 6-29-2 rushing line in the Patriots’ 34-28 come from behind victory over the Falcons.

Howe notes that it’s possible White begins the season on PUP, which would force him to miss the first four weeks of the season. Although, the Patriots still have several weeks to evaluate that possibility. White’s continued absence opens the door for Ty Montgomery, who has impressed in camp so far. NESN’s Zack Cox reports that Mongomery has lined up at wide receiver, running back, kick returner, and “a variety of other special teams roles in camp.” Montgomery, a 29-year-old journeyman is about an unexciting a fantasy pick as one could ask for, but he could have a receiving role on a team that made Brandon Bolden fantasy relevant at times last year.

Earlier this week ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that White was “still walking with what appeared to be an uncomfortable gait.” White has yet to be fully cleared for a return to the field and was already viewed as a PUP list candidate prior to this official announcement. Still recovering surgery on his hip after a Week 3 injury against the Saints last season, we’re unsure on when White could see a return to the field. The nine-year vet was brought back on a two-year, $5 million contract this offseason but could be cut at little cost to the team in favor of younger, healthier backs.

Reiss has previously discussed White as a PUP candidate, and nothing we’re reading here should dissuade you from believing that will be the case. Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong, and J.J. Taylor are all candidates to take over shares of a passing-down role with the Patriots if White isn’t ready for the start of the season. Stevenson’s fantasy value in particular would skyrocket if he became the main back for New England on passing downs.

White isn’t on Reiss’ 53-man roster projection for the Patriots. Reiss has Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong, and Kevin Harris making the 53 behind Damien Harris. Stevenson could take some third-down reps, which would boost his fantasy stock if White indeed isn’t ready. Reiss says that White is a candidate for the PUP list.

White never advanced beyond on-field drills at minicamp. The Patriots have depth to play it slow with White, making it possible the 30-year-old won’t be cleared for training camp next month. Short-term IR could also be an option for White, costing him four games instead of the six he would miss on PUP.

White participated in on-field drills at OTAs last month. The 30-year-old has yet to be cleared for full activity as he works his way back from October surgery. White has a chance to be ready for the start of training camp in July.

This puts White ahead of schedule in his recovery from October surgery. The Patriots may hold White out of full-squad workouts next week, but he’s on track to be fully cleared for training camp.

An explosive ball carrier and excellent pass catcher in four years at South Dakota State, Strong -- taken with the 127th pick of the 2022 NFL Draft -- could be a natural fit to eventually supplant White, entering his age-30 season and coming off a catastrophic hip injury in 2021. Shrine Bowl director of operations and player personnel Eric Galko told NESN that Strong’s pass-blocking ability will secure at least some playing time as a rookie. “I would say from a Patriots perspective, yeah, I think he starts working a lot more on those third-down roles, maybe as more of a pass-blocking option to James White’s pass-catching option, and then slowly eats into that,” Galko said. “But don’t be surprised if they also work him heavily in the rotation.” Strong, who totaled 4,527 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns in 48 career games at South Dakota State, is an intriguing end-of-bench stash in deeper formats. Breaking out in a crowded Patriots backfield will prove exceedingly difficult, however.

White is still recovering from the hip injury that sent him to IR in Week 3 and later required surgery. The Patriots’ passing down back still has “awhile to go” to get cleared and isn’t a lock to be ready for training camp. White’s absence will open up offseason reps for rookie Pierre Strong and J.J. Taylor.