Going into the 2026 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots were expected to use one of their selections on adding another running back to the roster after releasing Antonio Gibson earlier this offseason.
That ultimately came to pass when New England chose Jam Miller out of Alabama in the seventh round, No. 245 overall. The rookie should have an opportunity to contribute early for a Patriots team devoid of much backfield depth beyond their top two of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
CBS Sports analyst Josh Edwards recently called Miller the Patriots' most interest pick of the 2026 draft, and it's easy to see why.
"Miller may have gone earlier if he had not dealt with injuries this season. New England adds quality depth to a room that welcomed TreVeyon Henderson last season," Edwards wrote.
Why Patriots rookie Jam Miller could earn a role sooner than expected
Measuring in at 5-foot-10 and 209 pounds, Miller’s athletic ability is what stands out most about him as a prospect. He clocked a 4.42 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, the fourth-fastest time among players at his position. NFL Next Gen Stats gave the former Crimson Tide ball carrier an Athleticism Score of 81, fifth-highest among running backs in this year’s class, and his 7.17 Relative Athletic Score ranked 653rd out of 2,306 running backs from 1987 to 2026.
Scouting reports praise Miller’s hard running style, sharp downhill cuts, and use of hands to separate from would-be tacklers. If his game can translate to the pros, an aggressive speedster like Miller has the potential to be an excellent change-of-pace complement to the power-running Stevenson and speedy Henderson.
Special teams could be key for Miller to get early playing time
Early on in Miller’s college career, he was utilized on both kick and punt coverage teams, finding particular success in these duties during the 2023 season when he logged four tackles. That special teams experience will go a long way towards improving his odds of seeing the field in the opening weeks of the 2026 campaign.
If Miller can impress New England’s coaching staff as a special teams contributor during training camp and the preseason, his role in other facets of the game could very well grow significantly throughout the coming year.
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