How Much Will Each Patriots RB Produce?
The New England Patriots had a good offseason, as you know, but in particular they focused on the running back spot. They showed that by signing free agents Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee. Those are two of the same type of running backs, similar size and definilty fit the Patriots offense. Not only that, but they still have a good core of RBs as it is. That is including James White, Dion Lewis, Brandon Bolden and now Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee. they all have talent and can all catch the ball out of the backfield. This is a projection of how much each of them will produce.
James White
I see James White as the best and most talented back on the roster. He can run the ball and is a great receiving back too. He is great in crunch time as he showed in the Super Bowl. He can and will make plays for the team and big plays at that. I project him to get a load of carries and get targeted a lot in the offense. I project his stats to be great.
2017-18 stat projections
Rushing Yards: 350
Rushing TDs: 4
Receiving Yards: 400
Receiving TDs: 3
Dion Lewis
Now with Dion Lewis you most likely will get the same production as you get from James White because they have similar playing styles. Dion Lewis is one shifty runner who has some deceptive cuts and is one of the fastest guys on the team. He is little, but he is tough and hard for the defense to tackle. He is very injury prone which I think is something to look at when it comes to projecting stats. I don't think Dion Lewis plays all of the games. I say he plays a solid 9-10. I still expect him to put in work during that span.
2017-18 stat projections
Rushing yards: 225
Rushing TDs: 2
Receiving Yards: 175
Receiving TDs: 1
Brandon Bolden
Honeslty not much can be said about Brandon Bolden playing offense. He is clearly a special teams ace and I like him in that role. He is a hard hitter who is really fast and smart with his plays. Last season he only ran the ball once. Yes ONCE. I think he should get at least 10-20 rushing attempts, but because of that I will not project his stats. I just thought I'd put him in here because he is a grinder and still has a big role on this team.
Rex Burkhead
Last season Rex Burkhead played for the Cincinatti Bengals who have Gio Bernard and Jeremy Hill, so he didn't get the ball until later on in the season. When he did get the opportunity though he took advantage of it. He was tremendous when he got a bulk of carries. I think the Patriots will really want to utilize his talent the most. He is a great runner with very reliable hands. He is really good at picking the right gap and just bursting full speed right through it. He can be use as a kick and punt returner which will be good for Edelman and Amendola. I think he will get a lot of redzone and goal line attempts.
2017-18 stat projections
Rushing Yards: 550
Rushing TDs: 7
Receiving Yards: 350
Receiving TDs: 2
Mike Gillislee
Just like Rex Burkhead, Mike Gillislee was in a crowded backfield with talent last season when he played for the Buffalo Bills. Playing behind Lesean "Shady" McCoy didn't stop him from get over 100 carries and many redzone attempts which led to 8 TDs. If you had to consider a running back on the Patriots roster a power back I guess it would be him. I would say Bolden, but he won't get the ball. He really does play a lot like Shady McCoy with amazing cuts and he takes hits. He will be a big playmaker in the offense by getting those big 10 plus yard runs that a team wants and he can catch the ball when he has to. He will most likely be an early down back and get those big run opportunities for the team.
2017-18 stat projections
Rushing Yards: 700
Rushing TDs: 8
Receiving Yards: 125
Receiving TDs: 1
That is what I expect every RB on the Patriots to do for them. I think James White and Mike Gillislee will be the most common starters and Dion Lewis, Rex Burkhead and maybe Brandon Bolden will be the late down backs for the team.
