New England Patriots: Predicting who stays and goes on offense

Running Backs

28 – James White – Staying

White had another consistent season this year. He further cemented himself as a key part of the Patriots Offense and most importantly he is one of Brady’s favorite targets. White became the “Amendola” of the backfield in 2017. Used sparingly at times, he was then unleashed at key times during the playoffs. Just to prove that, he had three touchdowns (rushing and receiving) in the regular season but scored four in three games in the postseason.

The difference in how he was used between regular season and postseason is in stark contrast. In the regular season he had no rushing touchdowns. In the postseason, three out of his four were rushing. McDaniels and Belichick built a year of tape for their oppositions that when White was in the game it was going to be primarily as a receiver. In the regular season 43% of his touches were running plays, in the post season it went up to 60%.

33 – Dion Lewis – Staying

This one is more in hope than expectation. 2017 was the coming of age of Dion Lewis. It was where he finally turned his potential and translated it into on field production across 19 games. He may not have broken 1,000 yards, but with the stacked backfield that the Patriots have, that was always going to be difficult. When it comes down to the negotiation table, the Patriots will do well to remember that Lewis has very little tread on his tires for a 27-year old running back. He only has 329 regular season carries. Compare that to Lamar Miller who is a seven months younger than Lewis, but has 1,144 carries. He will be looking for a lot of money, but if ever the Patriots were going to break their rule of not paying big money to running backs, then Lewis would be a deserved beneficiary.

34 – Rex Burkhead – Going

Many eyebrows were raised when Burkhead was signed by the Patriots from the Bengals last year. Those eyebrows were raised even further when they saw the $3.2 contract for one year that he received. It looked like money well spent too as he was a true dual-threat back that also contributed on special teams. Probably his standout statistic was his nose for the end zone, where he picked up eight regular season touchdowns. Burkhead’s situation largely depends on what the Patriots decide to do with Dion Lewis. They are both of similar age, however Lewis is the better player.

One of the key things in deciding Burkhead fell into the “Going” category was his inability to stay healthy. It was a trait that dogged his time in Cincinnati and it looks to have continued in New England. Belichick has often said that “the best ability is availability”, that could spell the end of his brief tenure.

35 – Mike Gillislee – Staying

Poor Mike Gillislee. He was brought in to be the long-term replacement for Blount but it never quite worked. He had averaged 5.7 yards per carry as a part time player in Buffalo over the previous two seasons. However when he was asked to carry the load for the Patriots that average spiraled down to 3.7 yards per carry. Gillislee has a $2.1m cap number this year but cutting him will cost nothing. For that reason alone the Patriots will hold onto him, for now.

38 – Brandon Bolden – Staying

Despite being cut at the beginning of 2017 and that he will become a free agent this offseason, Bolden has been a special team mainstay throughout his career and is highly thought of in Foxborough. While his carries on Offense have been down in the last two years, he is still a competent ball carrier. Bolden most certainly brings more to the offense or defense than his fellow special team mainstays Slater, King and Ebner. Bolden signed a new one-year $800k deal this week to stay in New England.

46 – James Develin – Staying

Everyone loves a Fullback. Even though some might say that it is a dying position, players like Develin really show how useful a good Fullback can be. Coming off a Pro Bowl season, (which I wrote about here) his salary is relatively low ($1.25m) which should ensure he sees out the season as a Patriot. A locker-room leader and one of the older players on the team (he will be 30 by the first game in 2018) he is just as important enforcing the “Patriot Way” both on and off the field.