Running back

[varjao]

I think BB messed up big time not getting a friendly deal soon with Blount, he took a gamble and lost it, we were in good shape at the position and now we will have to spend a pick in a RB.

Well if it's time to spend a draft pick in a RB, then I'm not against going high at it. A 2nd or 3rd round I'm talking about, I'm not aware of the good prospects apart from Carlos Hyde though. The problem is that there many other major needs, I don't think that RB is a major need, but is a need, if you consider the fact that Brady is aging also, I think we need to start saving him a little bit, don't think going 40+ attemps per game is a good number , the ideal is stay under that, so RB is a fundamental piece, although the market was terrible this year for RB's, I think we lost a chance to strike a premium RB in Moreno too, but that's past.

 

[cstjohn17]

I have no problem with letting Blount go or any other free agent RB. I expect them to draft a RB, maybe even as early as round 2. Hill, Hyde, Mason all seem like quality options. Plus there is a lot of late round talent, lets see how it goes.

I think BB messed up big time not getting a friendly deal soon with Blount, he took a gamble and lost it, we were in good shape at the position and now we will have to spend a pick in a RB.

Well if it's time to spend a draft pick in a RB, then I'm not against going high at it. A 2nd or 3rd round I'm talking about, I'm not aware of the good prospects apart from Carlos Hyde though. The problem is that there many other major needs, I don't think that RB is a major need, but is a need, if you consider the fact that Brady is aging also, I think we need to start saving him a little bit, don't think going 40+ attemps per game is a good number , the ideal is stay under that, so RB is a fundamental piece, although the market was terrible this year for RB's, I think we lost a chance to strike a premium RB in Moreno too, but that's past.

 

[ripatsfan91]

I wish we could bring Woodhead back

I think BB regrets that move a lot more than Blount

 

[manxman2601]

I think a double dip at RB is possible, particularly if they like Marion Grice, Henry Josey or Dri Archer for that Woodhead type role. And the depth this year is terrific as I said elsewhere. They could double dip on day three and still get a good quality committee. Devonta Freeman is graded as a fouth rounder by CBS right now as is Charles Sims.

 

[Off The Grid]

I wish we could bring Woodhead back

I think BB regrets that move a lot more than Blount

Amen, Brother. I hope to Christ so, that he regrets that more than letting a Slug like Blount go.

He's a brilliant man, but letting WoodHead go was one of his stupidest moves ever.

 

[Wilfork#75]

My favorite RB in this draft is without a doubt Rajion Neal from Tennessee. He isn't the most hyped or highest rated but I think he could be one of the best guys out of this draft in 3 years time. The analysts say he will probably go anywhere between rounds 5 and 7 but I wouldn't have a problem taking him in the late 3rd.

What I love about Neal is he is just a really solid, tough and well rounded player. At 5'11" 211lbs he averaged over 5ypc last season in the SEC and he's got the size to run between the tackles in the NFL. His athletic numbers don't stand out (although his explosion numbers were good) and he runs in the 4.5's but he looks more athletic than that on the field. His lateral agility reportedly looked excellent at his pro day with good cutting ability in drills and scouts raved about him catching the ball.

I think Neal is one of the more versatile backs in this draft because he's got the size the run inside, the speed to run outside and the hands and athleticism to catch the ball both out of the backfield and split out as a receiver. With all that I think the thing I like the most about him is his pass protection. He might not be a dominant blocker in the backfield but he seems to have an understanding of what he is doing and is certainly willing. Unlike most rookies I think Neal could be an early contributor because he won't have a steep learning curve in this area.

In the end I think Neal would be a really solid pick to both split carries with Ridley as our #2 and backup Vereen as our 3rd down back. He should also be great value in the later rounds although I can't understand why he isn't rated more highly. I'm not a fan of using a top 75 pick on a RB when you can get this kind of talent in the 4th or 5th round and beyond. I'm also intrigued by Andre Williams power game as a replacement for Blount and Devonta Freeman as a alternate 3rd down back.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I think a double dip at RB is possible, particularly if they like Marion Grice, Henry Josey or Dri Archer for that Woodhead type role. And the depth this year is terrific as I said elsewhere. They could double dip on day three and still get a good quality committee. Devonta Freeman is graded as a fouth rounder by CBS right now as is Charles Sims.

Really like Dri Archer a lot. His speed is just ridiculous and he's strong for his size. Great return man, and good hands out of the backfield or spread out as a receiver. Some draft guides consider him a receiver. He'd give the Pats something they haven't had in quite some time, a dangerous weapon that's like a Swiss Army knife, can line him up all over AND can be our return man.

 

[cstjohn17]

Patriots brought in Lorenzo Taliaferro, big back, very productive.
6'0 - 230, 1700 yards, 27 TDS in FCS

23 receptions not bad for a big guy


http://www.nfldraftscout.com/members/ratings/profile.php?pyid=125401

 

[manxman2601]

Patriots brought in Lorenzo Taliaferro, big back, very productive.
6'0 - 230, 1700 yards, 27 TDS in FCS

23 receptions not bad for a big guy


http://www.nfldraftscout.com/members/ratings/profile.php?pyid=125401

and athletic for his size. His numbers compare favourably to Legarette Blount who was impressive athletically. I'm a big fan of Taliaferro.

 

[OhExaulted1]

I like what I've read and seen from Jerick Mckinnon. Can't say I've watched alot of Georgia Southern football, but from what I have seen and his solid underwear olympics I think he'd be a solid addition. I think BB would rather have a big banger though, ala an A.Smith, Dillon, Blount type. Need more than 1 back, though, and with none on the roster after this year he'd be a good change of pace type. Plus he can chuck the rock. Bill does like versatility. Could be a ST demon and hey, trick plays, anyone?

 

[sircole]

This looks like the perfect opportunity to promote my guy Terrance West.

Like Taliaferro, West is a mature and productive back from the FCS ranks --FCS single-season records in 2013 for rushing yards (2,509) and rushing touchdowns (41)-- who actually increased his production in bad weather (similar to playoff weather in New England) during Towson FCS championship run.

He even performed well at his pro day drills in awful conditions.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer...day-gives-towson-its-biggest-nfl-exposure-yet


He would be a replacement for Blount now and a security blanket if we do not decide to re-sign Ridley next year.

 

[manxman2601]

Since Kevin Faulk was at his best as a 3rd down back, BB has carried a minimum of two pass catching running backs on the roster shared between Faulk, Vereen and Woodhead (although last year didn't work out because of Leon Washington). Have to think BB will want more than just Vereen for that role this year. This is why I like Grice for the role although Archer and Josey are possibilities too. I wouldn't rule out a trade for LaMichael James either.

 

[sircole]

Since Kevin Faulk was at his best as a 3rd down back, BB has carried a minimum of two pass catching running backs on the roster shared between Faulk, Vereen and Woodhead (although last year didn't work out because of Leon Washington). Have to think BB will want more than just Vereen for that role this year. This is why I like Grice for the role although Archer and Josey are possibilities too. I wouldn't rule out a trade for LaMichael James either.

I agree too. I would also like to add low rounds/UDFAs RBs like Senorise Perry and LaDarius Perkins because they offer the ability of backing up Vereen and special teams skills that could possibly eliminate Bolden; this would be a roster management move by freeing up a spot (carrying 4 RBs instead of 5). At the worst, they would be practice squad insurance for injuries during the season.

 

[supafly]

I think BB messed up big time not getting a friendly deal soon with Blount, he took a gamble and lost it, we were in good shape at the position and now we will have to spend a pick in a RB.

I don't think that Blount would have agreed to a deal early on in free agency myself, and it seems as though he accepted the Steelers offer once he realized that the market was down and his stock was much lower than he projected.

To take it one step further, Belichick isn't afraid about cutting costs and saving an 500k-1m dollars, especially at the position of RB. That seems like a small amount of money to us as fans, but when he doesn't see value, he doesn't see value--the player and position don't matter.

I don't think that the situation of Blount will change our thoughts of drafting a RB or even two, especially with the situations of Vereen, Ridley, and Bolden all coming up for FA soon, although I think Bolden may be an RFA while Vereen and Ridley are URFAs. In other words, we likely would have targeted it anyway in my opinion.

 

[patchick]

Since Kevin Faulk was at his best as a 3rd down back, BB has carried a minimum of two pass catching running backs on the roster shared between Faulk, Vereen and Woodhead (although last year didn't work out because of Leon Washington). Have to think BB will want more than just Vereen for that role this year. This is why I like Grice for the role although Archer and Josey are possibilities too. I wouldn't rule out a trade for LaMichael James either.

I'm all for another receiving back, but I'd like to get a KR out of the position, too. That makes Dri Archer my favorite target, if he lasts to day 3. Or for a different direction, Charles Sims is an interesting guy -- kind of 2/3 RB and 1/3 HB.

 

[joepatsfan]

I have no problem rolling into camp with Ridley, Vereen, Bolden and a UDFA RB. no need to spend a pick. Running backs can be a penny a dozen not even a dime.

 

[supafly]

I have no problem rolling into camp with Ridley, Vereen, Bolden and a UDFA RB. no need to spend a pick. Running backs can be a penny a dozen not even a dime.

This may depend on how Belichick and the rest of the coaching staff see the futures of Vereen and Ridley after this season when they become free agents. If one or more is in danger of leaving, and one would have to imagine that is the truth just based on the law of averages alone, then we may target a RB higher than many are envisioning.

While I agree with you that RBs can be found in the later rounds, a gamechanging top notch back can go a long way just as well--especially if BB likes the way they pick up the blitz and have the ability to understand our system. That isn't even taking the raw athleticism into account, as we can always use a pass catching RB on this team.

 

[supafly]

I have no problem rolling into camp with Ridley, Vereen, Bolden and a UDFA RB. no need to spend a pick. Running backs can be a penny a dozen not even a dime.

Just to take it one step further, Ridley has been benched for stretches of time in 2/3 yrs here due to his fumbling problems, and Vereen has missed significant time due to injury and only played in 26/48 games.

Brandon Bolden is a marginal talent who is normally on the roster bubble.

Some certainly feel as though RB is a position that could use some reinforcement due to these situations. It all depends on your personal opinion, so we'll have to wait it out and see what BB thinks.

 

[manxman2601]

I'm all for another receiving back, but I'd like to get a KR out of the position, too. That makes Dri Archer my favorite target, if he lasts to day 3. Or for a different direction, Charles Sims is an interesting guy -- kind of 2/3 RB and 1/3 HB.

I'm a fan of Charles Sims, less so of Dri Archer whose hands concern me. His diminutive size worries me a bit as a kick returner. I'm still hoping for Josh Boyce on that score.

 

[zimmy]

I'm a fan of Charles Sims, less so of Dri Archer whose hands concern me. His diminutive size worries me a bit as a kick returner. I'm still hoping for Josh Boyce on that score.

It's why I'm promoting Bruce Ellington as a 3rd/4th round receiver for the Pats. Has high upside, game changing speed and can start his career on special teams. Plus by all accounts he's a smart, high character guy too.