3 Patriots players who could be camp cuts for financial reasons
Rex Burkhead
On the one hand, Rex Burkhead is a versatile playmaker who excels at three things, each of which is important to the Patriots organization and to Bill Belichick: rushing the football, receiving the football, and contributing on special teams. His multidimensionality makes him an intriguing weapon that keeps defenses guessing and lends an air of unpredictability to coordinator Josh McDaniels’ offensive schemes.
On the other hand, Rex Burkhead is in the final year of a three-season deal that’s set to pay him nearly $10 million. In terms of total contract value, only 14 players are set to earn more over the span of their deals than Burkhead — and yet Burkhead is inarguably the third-string running back on the Patriots roster at best.
There’s even a chance that Damien Harris sees a greater role at running back in his second season. If that happens, someone is going to lose touches in 2020 at RB.
It could be Sony Michel, but Michel’s also a first-round draft pick who — despite a major setback in 2019 in rushing average — still posted back-to-back seasons with close to 1,000 yards on the ground.
It doesn’t seem like it will be James White, who has finished second on the team in receiving yards in back-to-back seasons behind Julian Edelman — despite the fact he plays running back.
Next. 5 Patriots who will enter training camp on roster bubble. dark
No, Burkhead is the most logical candidate to lose reps if Harris’ workload grows in 2020. And if that happens, it might be hard to defend his contract and place on the team — despite his obvious skills and versatility as a player.