New England Patriots: Rex Burkhead, James White running with starters
New England Patriots running backs Rex Burkhead and James White are currently handling first-team reps in practice.
The New England Patriots look like they will have one of the best offenses in the NFL once again. Having quarterback Tom Brady under center is already a luxury enough. When you add in the skill position players he has around him, it is borderline unfair.
New England looks like they will be without wide receiver Julian Edelman for the first four weeks of the season because of a suspension. However, they have depth to overcome the loss. Tight end Rob Gronkowski will also help replace Edelman. The backfield will also help offset his loss.
The Patriots backfield is loaded with talented, versatile players. While Dion Lewis left in free agency, signing with the Tennessee Titans, they more than replaced him this offseason.
Rex Burkhead was re-signed in free agency. Jeremy Hill was signed away from the Cincinnati Bengals, while the Patriots used the No. 31 overall pick on Sony Michel. They also have holdovers James White and Mike Gillislee.
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New England has a lot of depth in the backfield. Finding reps for all of them won’t be easy, but the Patriots are used to using committees in their backfield. This season should be no different, and we now have an idea of who is leading the committee thus far.
According to Zack Cox of NESN, Burkhead is currently the starter at organized team activities. White is the third-down back, as they are getting a majority of the first-team work thus far in practice.
"Burkhead and White have taken the majority of first-team reps this spring, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Michel, the 31st overall pick in this year’s draft, rise to the top of this group by the time the season starts. Hill and Gillislee both were left off the roster entirely in our latest 53-man roster projection."
This early in the process, this shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Burkhead and White were both with the team last season, so they are a little ahead of the other players in terms of learning the playbook.
However, things can change throughout the remainder of the spring and summer. The Patriots didn’t use a first-round pick on Michel to have him sit on the bench and watch by idly. He will get his chance to play and it will come sooner than later.
The players who are in danger are Gillislee and Hill. Burkhead, White and special teamer Brandon Bolden are safe, along with Michel. James Devlin will be playing fullback. That leaves, at most, one spot remaining up for grabs in the backfield.
Next: Patriots 53-Man Roster Prediction: Running Backs
Burkhead, White and Michel are all versatile backs. They should each receive chances to shine throughout the season as both ball carriers and pass catchers.