New England Patriots: Top 5 players from the regular season

3.) Dion Lewis

One of the best surprises for the Patriots this season was the play of Dion Lewis. During training camp and the preseason, Lewis very well could have been playing for his job. With James White, Rex Burkhead, Mike Gillislee, there was no guarantee that the Patriots were going to have room for Lewis. However, Lewis did make the team and became one of the best players for them this season.

To start the season, it was Mike Gillislee who was the primary running back for the Patriots. However, his ineffective play resulted in him being benched and then a healthy scratch. When given the chance, Lewis ended up becoming the primary ball carrier for the Patriots, and he had a ton of success.

Despite barely playing at the beginning of the season, Lewis totaled 896 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, 32 receptions, and 214 receiving yards. The ability of Lewis to be both a runner and a receiver has resulted in him being a three-down back for the Patriots toward the end of the season with Burkhead and White out.

While Burkhead and White should be back for the playoffs, Lewis has proven that he can be a three-down back and play at an elite level. For a player that might have been on the roster bubble in the summer, it was an amazing season for Lewis.