FOXBORO -- An already crowded Patriots backfield got even more crowded on draft weekend this April when the Patriots selected Georgia running back Sony Michel in the first round.
Michel joins James White, Rex Burkhead, Jeremy Hill, Mike Gillislee and Brandon Bolden as running backs on the Patriots roster. Gillislee, who only played in nine games in his first year with the team, knows he needs to step up his game just to make the 53-man roster.
“I just knew I have to bring a little bit more to the table because more competition has come to the table," he said to reporters when asked his reaction to when the Patriots drafted Michel.
Gillislee added: “He’s a great guy and a great player and he has a lot of talent. He is a smart football player and it is good to have him in the room.”
With the Bills in 2016, Gillislee ran for an NFL-best 5.7 yards per carry. He hopes after a full year in the Patriots system, this year goes a little better.
“I’m just picking up the playbook and just trying to play faster and just getting better every day,” he said. “Last year I was on the sideline with an injury and this year I’m good and I’m running around and I’m healthy.”
It's hard to tell exactly where the running backs stand in practices without pads, but the competition will really start once training camp begins in late July.