New England Patriots: 3 Potential Breakout Players on Offense in 2016
By Hal Bent
Donald Brown:
The New England Patriots found a diamond in the rough last offseason unearthing running back Dion Lewis off the scrap heap and getting outstanding play out of him before a knee injury ended his season. They would love to do that again at the running back position. Last year after injuries wiped out Lewis and starter LeGarrette Blount the Patriots were forced to play Joey Iosefa and veteran Stephen Jackson down the stretch.
The Patriots addressed their weakness at running back adding Donald Brown this offseason. Brown starred while playing football in New England once already in college playing for the University of Connecticut. Brown was a first round draft pick in Indianapolis and after five seasons cashed in with a big contract in San Diego.
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Brown had years of 281, 497, 645, 417, and 537 yards rushing in Indianapolis. However, in San Diego the multi-purpose back played in just 22 games over two seasons and rushed for less than 500 yards combined. Brown fits the role of a Bill Belichick running back because he can run between the tackles, pick up blitzers as a strong blocker, and is a very good receiver out of the backfield.
After having been let go by San Diego due to cap reasons,he arrives in New England with a team-friendly contract with just $300,000 guaranteed on a veteran’s minimum deal. Brown was a disappointment in Indianapolis and San Diego due to injuries and poor play. He is not a sure thing but an inexpensive depth option who could help out in the passing game.
Brown–much like Antowain Smith, Danny Woodhead, Dion Lewis, and LeGarrette Blount before him–is in a system with a coach who knows how to get the maximum production from a running back who may not have been a perfect fit in another offensive system. With New England likely to add to the running back position in the NFL Draft, Brown is in position to play a key role in 2016 if he can produce.