PatsFans.com Menu
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans
Search

New England Patriots > Patriots Blog

Patriots Free Agency Outlook – Running Backs

Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri on Twitter
8 years ago at 10:37 am ET
Posted Under: Patriots Commentary

Patriots Free Agency Outlook – Running BacksTroy Taormina - USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots are set to enter the free agency phase of the 2016 off-season and we’ll explore some of the biggest needs of the team moving forward. And some of the names of their own free agents as well as some of their potential targets.

First up on the free agency positional list: Running Back

Team Need: High

Given the injuries to the offensive line and then losing both starters (Dion Lewis, LaGarrette Blount) to IR during the season doomed the Pats running game in 2015. Truth be told, they ran the ball very poorly overall for most of the season and it was a major reason for their failure in the AFC Championship Game. Play-action passing, a big staple of their offense was rendered moot, when they ran only 14 times, and were ineffective on all of them.

Returning players: Brandon Bolden, James White, Dion Lewis (IR), Tyler Gaffney (IR), Joey Iosefa

Free Agents: LaGarrette Blount, James Develin, Steven Jackson

The team really needs a big, physical running back that can grind out the yardage between the tackles, take the heat off of Tom Brady and the passing game and have the ability to put games away late.

Being in the Patriots offense, the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield as well as pass protection are things that are always important as well.

Here is a snapshot of the free agents that are available for New England when free agency begins on March 9:


Posted Under: Patriots Commentary
Tags: 2015 NFL Season 2015 Patriots Season 2016 NFL off-season 2016 Patriots Roster 53 Man Roster Projection Alfred Morris Bill Belichick Brandon Bolden Chris Ivory Dion Lewis James White LaGarrette Blount Lamar Miller Matt Forte Miami Dolphins New York Jets NFL Patriots Patriots running backs Pittsburgh Steelers Rob Gronkowski Tom Brady Tyler Gaffney

  • Subscribe For Patriots Content Delivered by 6:30am Each Day


  • Comments are closed.

  • More News Headlines:

    So Far, Patriots Miss Jakobi Meyers

    So Far, Patriots Miss Jakobi Meyers

    By: Ian Logue
    With the Patriots sitting at 0-2, one thing has certainly been clear through two weeks for Mac Jones. The lack of a viable third-down target…
    20 hours ago
    Patriots Fourth And Two Podcast: Patriots vs Dolphins Breakdown, Jets Preview

    Patriots Fourth And Two Podcast: Patriots vs Dolphins Breakdown, Jets Preview

    By: Russ Goldman
    In this episode, Derek and Steve look back at the Dolphins loss, and later on preview the Jets game.
    21 hours ago
    Wednesday Patriots Notebook 9/20: News and Notes

    Wednesday Patriots Notebook 9/20: News and Notes

    By: Ian Logue
    While New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is continuing to receive a fair amount of criticism locally, the numbers so far through two games, tell…
    21 hours ago
    Tuesday Patriots Notebook 9/19: News and Notes

    Tuesday Patriots Notebook 9/19: News and Notes

    By: Ian Logue
    One part of the discussion with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on Monday centered on the production on offense, which has obviously been…
    2 days ago
    Patriots Week 2 Report Card In The 24-17 Loss To Miami

    Patriots Week 2 Report Card In The 24-17 Loss To Miami

    By: Steve Balestrieri
    "Judge, Houston, and Cam dialed up a really good scheme for that block and saw a weak point on their field goal operation, Schooler said.
    2 days ago

  • Share via
    Copy link
    Powered by Social Snap
    Search For Links: - CLOSE
    For searches with multiple players
    add commas (Ex: "Bill Belichick, Devin McCourty")