New England Patriots: Rex Burkhead Named a Top Value Signing

The New England Patriots made plenty of offseason moves. Did they get value when they signed running back Rex Burkhead from the Cincinnati Bengals?

One of the quietly good moves for the New England Patriots this offseason was the signing of running back Rex Burkhead. With two talented running backs ahead of him in Cincinnati, Burkhead didn’t get a chance to shine with the Bengals.

However, Burkhead got a chance to audition late in the season, and the results were very good. Burkhead was a solid special teams player for Bengals, but at the end of the season, he showed that he could be a good running back as well.

In the offseason, Burkhead tested the waters of free agency. The Patriots liked what they saw in Burkhead and signed him to a one-year, $3.5 million deal. Recently, Mike Sando of ESPN.com named Burkhead as one of the best value signings of the offseason. Here’s what Sando had to say about the signing.

"The Patriots landed a versatile young back who projects as an ideal system fit and should contribute on special teams. They got him at a fraction of the price Baltimore paid for the more accomplished but injury-prone Danny Woodhead, who has missed 27 games over the past three seasons. One agent without ties to any of the running backs in the market this offseason listed the Burkhead signing as the steal of free agency, suggesting the Patriots could get 400 yards rushing and 60 receptions from him in their offense."

Burkhead’s versatility to play on offense and on special teams truly makes him valuable for the Patriots. As of now, the Patriots don’t have a clear-cut every down running back. The plan appears to be using James White, Dion Lewis, and Burkhead.

Next: Patriots 7-Round Mock Draft

The Patriots might look to draft a running back at some time in the NFL Draft. However, Burkhead should have a sizeable role on the team no matter what in 2017.