3 free agent running backs Patriots should take a peek at
By Jack Long
1. Aaron Jones, 27
The Packers stud running back should command a lot of attention this offseason. Could the Patriots swing big at the position?
As someone who has had Aaron Jones on their fantasy team the past two seasons (yeah, I know, no one cares about my fantasy team), I can tell you the numbers this guy puts up are on a weekly basis are just insane.
Jones is easily one of the most slept-on backs in the league, and although he is never mentioned along with the likes of Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara, he really should be.
As much as he can slip between the tackles with lightning speed and sharp cuts, his receiving capabilities make him one of the most dynamic and fun to watch RBs in the NFL.
Jones can line up anywhere on the field, and it isn’t rare to see him out wide or in the slot.
A guy that has had nearly 1,500 yards and double-digit touchdowns in his past two seasons isn’t going to be cheap. After making just over $2 million this past season, look for Aaron Jones’ yearly salary to be slightly over the $10 million dollar mark.
Bill Belichick has never had a running back quite like Jones, and his play is much different from the ground and pound that usually defines the Patriots’ run game. Do-it-all backs like him don’t become available too often, though, and if Bill wants to immediately add a game changer coming out of the backfield, Aaron jones is the guy.
Is it smart for the Patriots to use a chunk of their cap space on a running back?
With over $60 million in cap space on tap for the upcoming offseason, the Patriots finally have some room to work with on the free agency and trade front.
If New England can garner some receivers and/or tight ends in the draft, and can come up with a future quarterback and linebacking help through trade and free agency while somehow having a chunk of remaining cap space, it isn’t a bad idea.
Obviously, it is far from a priority, but nonetheless the Patriots are in need of a pass-catching back. There are a ton of cheaper options that will be available on the market, but getting any one of these three names or some other great options like Chris Carson or James Conner would be huge steps in the right direction for the offense.
