Over the next couple weeks, WEEI.com will take a position-by-position look at the Patriots rebuilt roster heading into training camp 2021. What’s the depth chart look like? What’s the biggest question at each position? How might the competition at each spot unfold this summer under Bill Belichick’s watchful eye? Today we kick things off with a look at running back.
Running back
Roster: Damien Harris, James White, Sony Michel, Brandon Bolden, J.J. Taylor, Rhamondre Stevenson, Tyler Gaffney, Jakob Johnson (FB)
Key Additions: Stevenson (4th RD, Oklahoma)
Key Losses: Rex Burkhead (FA, Texans)
Predicted Starter: Harris
Notes: Last season Harris joined Dion Lewis (2017, 5.0) and LeGarrette Blount (2013, 5.0) as the only running backs to average better than 5 yards per carry with at least 100 rushing attempts during the Bill Belichick era. … Blount, 2016, was the last Patriots 1,000-yard rusher. … Antowain Smith, Corey Dillon, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Stevan Ridley and Blount are the only backs to top 1,000 yards during the Belichick era, none more than once. … Harris (6) and Michel (7) missed a combined 13 games to injured reserve/inactive list in 2020.
Biggest Question: Can either Harris or Michel stay healthy and be productive enough to become a true 1,000-yard workhorse for a Patriots team seemingly built to run the ball?
Snapshot Analysis: More often than not, the Patriots have taken a committee approach to the running back position. Oftentimes that’s been out of necessity as much as anything else, thanks to either injuries or a lack of a true workhorse candidate for the top job. Heading into 2021, though, New England may actually have two options for a possible lead-back role on an offense that should run the ball well behind a strong offensive line. The third-year former third-round pick Harris ran extremely well in 10 starts a year ago, churning out 691 yards and a 5-yard average. But, he also began and ended the year on IR. The fourth-year former first-round pick Michel also missed time once again to injury in 2020, but also finished the season running the football maybe as well as he ever has in his NFL career. Michel, who topped 900 yards in each of his first two seasons in New England, rushed for 449 yards and a 5.7-yard average buoyed by his late-season burst. White is coming off what, for him, was a down year in which he still caught 49 passes for 375 yards and one touchdown. The beloved team captain dealt with personal tragedy off the field with the loss of his father in a car accident that also severely injured his mother. White could certainly be in line for a bounce back year as one of the best pass-catching backs in the NFL after re-signing with the team this spring. Burkhead’s versatile contributions could be missed, but there are young options to fill the void. Taylor is an intriguing option as an undersized pass catcher, while Stevenson is an oversized rookie who’s shown the ability to run and catch though a red shirt season in typical Patriots fashion can’t be ruled out. Regardless of how all the roles play out over a 17-game season, New England has a strong group of talented potential contributors in its backfield.
Position Rating: Good