Patriots: 3 under-the-radar running backs New England can draft

There aren’t a ton of 183-pound running backs that can be the primary backfield ball-carrier and garner significant NFL Draft interest, but Hawkins appears to be one of those rare mold-breakers that can help an NFL team right away given how he can make magic happen with the ball in his hands.

Hawkins is as slippery as they come, and his ability to accelerate to top speed right after coming to a stop is jaw-dropping. Despite his frame, Louisville was running him off-guard frequently, showing that he can be more than just a scatback if required to do so.

How would Javian Hawkins help the Patriots?

Hawkins will likely need to break into the league as a pass-catcher, and New England could give him a chance to earn consistent snaps in the offense. White was integral to New England’s passing game over the last few years, but they need to plan for a replacement, and Hawkins certainly fits the bill.

The history of running backs in the NFL that have had sustained success while weighing as little as Hawkins is not a terribly deep one, but there is still a role for a player like him at the next level. After picking White on Day 3 years ago, they could stumble upon his replacement in that same range with Hawkins.