The second week of the 2023 Felger & Mazz Big Board began on Monday. Three running backs were added to the board.
Running back is generally an overlooked draft need not just in New England, but by many NFL fans. In the current NFL teams rarely give running backs – especially early down backs – second contracts. Given how much of the running game is dictated by the offensive line, and how often running backs get hurt, this is now the ‘value’ play.
DeWayne McBride, UAB
Dec 18, 2021; Shreveport, LA, USA; UAB Blazers running back DeWayne McBride (22) breaks a tackle against BYU Cougars linebacker Max Tooley (31) during the fourth quarter during the 2021 Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium. Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
McBride is a textbook Patriots draft fit as an early-down running back, for a number of reasons. Lightly recruited out of high school, McBride has looked very out of place (in a good way) in his two years as the Blazers’ starting running back. he rushed for 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021, earning first-team All-Conference USA honors. The than managed to blow that performance away in 2022, with 1,713 yards on just 29 more carries, and 19 touchdowns. He was second in the nation in rushing this past season, but he finished just 15 yards behind Brad Roberts of Air Force despite having 112 fewer carries. His 19 touchdowns were also second in the nation.
If there’s one thing the Patriots have traditionally targeted with early down backs in the draft, it’s production. No back in this draft has posted better numbers than McBride the past two years. It wouldn’t be surprising at all to see them target him early on Day 3 as Damien Harris’ replacement.
Chase Brown, Illinois
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 01: Chase Brown #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini rushes the ball in the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 01, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Brown is another highly-productive college back who would be a logical fit for the Patriots. In 12 games last year he ran for 1,643 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also offers more passing-down experience, with 27 catches for 240 yards and three more touchdowns last year. On top of all that, Brown tested very well at the Combine running a 4.43 40 with a 40-inch vertical and 25 bench reps at 5-foot-9, 209 pounds.
Zach Evans, Ole Miss
OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI – OCTOBER 15: Zach Evans #6 of the Mississippi Rebels carries the ball against Donovan Kaufman #1 of the Auburn Tigers during the second half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
It took Evans a few years to get going, as he struggled with injuries at TCU in 2020 and 2021. Last year he transferred to Ole Miss and showed what he’s capable of with 936 yards and nine touchdowns in 12 games.
At 5-foot-11, 202 pounds, Evans is the kind of explosive downhill runner the Patriots like to have on early downs. However, he did fumble five times on just 290 career college carries – something they won’t be as drawn to.
