Draft a power RB? Re-sign Blount? Get Foster?

Post is primarily addressing the RB position. We have a sneaky RB in Lewis, with DBrown & BBolden as good backups.

James White, Joey Iosefa, Tyler Gaffney are just below JAGs.

Draft or free-agency?

I would re-sign Blount for 1yr for cheap, then draft a Blount-like RB.... Derrick Henry (would probably have to trade up in 2nd round) or Kenyan Drake (be there in 2nd/3rd round).

Yes

Draft a stud and resign Bount. If Henry falls to them I'd be ecstatic. Doubt he'd make it.

I'd rather wait for next year's crop of RBs to pick one high. Henry strikes me as the kind of plodder who washes out in the pros. Alabama running backs don't have a good track record, it's like the new Wisconsin. Blount ran well last year. I wouldn't be surprised if Foster's on the shortlist. Neither of those players will get calls until the summer, because they wouldn't pass physicals right now. I'd be fine with either of them (or even Ridley) to round out what they have now. I don't think Belichick sees it as much of a priority.

Bolden is a bad RB. He's good on ST and that's it. Everytime he is handed the ball, I sigh and hope for him to at least pick up 2 yards.

This is complete speculation, but i think Blount was lazy last year. He didn't put efforts in some runs.

Drafting a RB should be a priority IMO. I love Brady, but we became one dimensional too many times last year. I still fear for the OLine though, i don't trust those guys at all and i wonder how well a RB will be running behind it.

Resign Blount and draft one of: Henry, Williams, Collins, Howard, Prosise, or Drake.

Too bad Ridley seemed to burn bridges on his way out. I'd take him back in a heartbeat, based on his play.

primetime said:

I'd rather wait for next year's crop of RBs to pick one high. Henry strikes me as the kind of plodder who washes out in the pros. Alabama running backs don't have a good track record, it's like the new Wisconsin. Blount ran well last year. I wouldn't be surprised if Foster's on the shortlist. Neither of those players will get calls until the summer, because they wouldn't pass physicals right now. I'd be fine with either of them (or even Ridley) to round out what they have now. I don't think Belichick sees it as much of a priority.

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I'll throw this out as food for thought:

2016 NFL Draft: The Patriots Should Wait For a 2017 Running Back

Blount doesnt run like a pwr RB, I'd rather pick up a rental

What's Reggie Bush up to these days?

Go with Gaffney. The boss likes.

Bill Belichick: Tyler Gaffney Has Patriots Excited Over ‘Good Hands,’ Hard Work

I'd go for fresh legs in the draft. I think we could use Blount, if affordable, Dion and Bolden for teams and he's a nice emergency back as a receiver. It does seem he's lost the knack as a runner, though.

Fresh legs, cheap dough. why spend on a retread?

RayClay said:

I'd go for fresh legs in the draft. I think we could use Blount, if affordable, Dion and Bolden for teams and he's a nice emergency back as a receiver. It does seem he's lost the knack as a runner, though.

Fresh legs, cheap dough. why spend on a retread?

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Sure, as long as it's in the later rounds. I'd prefer to see them look elsewhere in the early rounds for a rushing back, though. Plenty of good rookie running backs who get taken later.

primetime said:

Sure, as long as it's in the later rounds. I'd prefer to see them look elsewhere in the early rounds for a rushing back, though. Plenty of good rookie running backs who get taken later.

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Oh, I'll take your word, I'm not at all up on college prospects..

Big Bucks said:

Go with Gaffney. The boss likes.

Bill Belichick: Tyler Gaffney Has Patriots Excited Over ‘Good Hands,’ Hard Work

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Yeah, Gaffney really knocked it out of the park in 2015.

RayClay said:

Oh, I'll take your word, I'm not at all up on college prospects..

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The main problem with this year's draft is its very weak in rushing backs and stronger in smaller scatbacks. The Patriots already have one of the best scatbacks in the league, so it's not a need. After Ezekiel Elliot, who will go in the top-10, the cupboard on top-end talent (versus some late-round flyers) is pretty bare. Someone like Derrick Henry who reminds me a bit of a poor man's Blount is going to get way overdrafted because of the relative lack of talent among bigger backs. Though Henry's a pretty good route runner in the passing game, so maybe he's worth it. I just don't like Alabama running backs.

Not much left in FA. I think they'll use Brown more than expected but he's far from the only answer.

Foster - I'd only take a shot for small money hoping to get 5-6 good games out of, always injured coming of an achilles.
Hightower - In last 4 games of last year 84 rushes 327 yards 4 TDs, 12 receptions 129 yards, can also block
Blount - Never been a favorite of mine, was hoping to upgrade
Hillman - Doubtful, only possibility is if the don't see Lewis coming back strong
Ridley - Would be a good fit for both, not sure if other issues are at work. I could live with Ridley, Brown, Lewis and either Kenneth Dixon or Alex Collins at RB

primetime said:

The main problem with this year's draft is its very weak in rushing backs and stronger in smaller scatbacks. The Patriots already have one of the best scatbacks in the league, so it's not a need. After Ezekiel Elliot, who will go in the top-10, the cupboard on top-end talent (versus some late-round flyers) is pretty bare. Someone like Derrick Henry who reminds me a bit of a poor man's Blount is going to get way overdrafted because of the relative lack of talent among bigger backs. Though Henry's a pretty good route runner in the passing game, so maybe he's worth it. I just don't like Alabama running backs.

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The main problem with next years crop is that it's next year. We need a running game in 2016. We are fine for 3rd down/receiving back, but got squat for power back. Blount is a poor short yardage back and I have not been a fan, Gaffney can also compete, but even if they sign Blount (which they have not) that would be insufficient competition. We only need to find one power back, and I would be surprised if they don't invest at least one mid- to late round pick on an RB.

primetime said:

The main problem with this year's draft is its very weak in rushing backs and stronger in smaller scatbacks. The Patriots already have one of the best scatbacks in the league, so it's not a need. After Ezekiel Elliot, who will go in the top-10, the cupboard on top-end talent (versus some late-round flyers) is pretty bare. Someone like Derrick Henry who reminds me a bit of a poor man's Blount is going to get way overdrafted because of the relative lack of talent among bigger backs. Though Henry's a pretty good route runner in the passing game, so maybe he's worth it. I just don't like Alabama running backs.

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I could see nabbing a young RB who's backed up on another team. Just don't want any "names" who's resume is back loaded.

I'd go Foster over Blizzount aslong as health checks out. Blounts nothing special. Time for something different with atleast alil burst.