The Patriots’ biggest move of the spring practice period saw them release running back James Robinson just before Minicamp. That move leaves them with Rhamondre Stevenson, Ty Montgomery, Pierre Strong Jr., Kevin Harris, and J.J. Taylor as their running backs heading into training camp.
Overall, that’s a pretty solid group. Stevenson will handle the majority of the snaps across situations, but Montgomery should be able to take more of the pass-catching snaps off his workload allowing him to be in better shape late in the year. Strong and Harris are good backups in both the early-down and passing-down roles, while Taylor is experienced in the system and is a guy that can offer emergency depth off the practice squad if injuries start to pile up.
Dalvin Cook
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 25: Running back Dalvin Cook #4 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball in for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lionsat U.S. Bank Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
Cook’s release by the Vikings got Patriots fans excited. Then Cook said he wants to team up with DeAndre Hopkins, which got fans even more excited about the prospect of both of them signing. So, should the hype be real? Kind of.
Unlike the wide receiver position, generally running backs only play one at a time. That’s especially true in the offense Bill O’Brien appears to be designing, which looks like it will already be heavy on two tight end sets.
The Patriots already have a running back as good if not better than Cook in Stevenson, and adding Cook would mean taking Stevenson off the field. While there is certainly something to be said for lessening Stevenson’s workload, the role Cook would be stepping into would likely be 15-20 snaps per game at most. Given that Cook is reportedly asking for a relatively significant payday, he may want the touches that come with it as well.
At the end of the day, Cook is still a very good player. If he’d sign for relatively cheap, he’d be a good addition to the Patriots’ offense and help solve one of their most understated issues from 2022 – overworking Rhamondre Stevenson. But the Patriots aren’t in a position where they can pay a premium to a running back right now.
If a premium is what Cook wants, it would make more sense for the Patriots to lean on their younger backs for those snaps and use that money elsewhere (Hopkins). If he and Hopkins truly do want to play together though (or he just really wants to play for the Patriots regardless of Hopkins) and one or both are willing to take the contract nessesary to facilitate it, he’d be a great addition.
Leonard Fournette
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 16: Leonard Fournette #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball for a first down against Arthur Maulet #35 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The Patriots have been connected to Fournette before – he nearly signed in New England before Tom Brady re-routed him to Tampa Bay in 2020. Fournette, 28, still showed some gas last season too. In 16 games he ran for 668 yards and posted a career-high 523 receiving yards.
Fournette’s well-rounded skillset would play well in the Patriots’ offense, and he’d either be an upgrade over Montgomery, or fill Montgomery’s role allowing the team to use him more as a wide receiver. Based on the last few years, he also seems to be O.K. with the idea of being part of a running back tandem, rather than a feature back.
The question is, what kind of money is Fournette looking for? Like with Cook, it wouldn’t make sense for the Patriots to overextend themselves right now, despite how good of a fit Fournette is stylistically.
Ezekiel Elliott
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 26: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against Nick Williams #93 of the New York Giants during the third quarter in the game at MetLife Stadium on September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
On the surface, Elliot is a sneaky-good fit for the current Patriots’ roster. Not only is he a big, powerful runner who could take the short-yardage and goal line responsibilities that Damien Harris had last year, he’s also a very good pass blocker. On top of that, he’d add a smart and experienced presence to what is a very young running back room.
There are two questions when it comes to Elliot’s fit with the Patriots though. The first, again, is money. Would he be willing to take a team-friendly, short-term deal? There’s also the question of whether or not he’d be open to playing in a running back tandem, rather than being the feature back. It was reported last year he ‘struggled’ with splitting carries with Tony Pollard in Dallas.
If Elliott, 27, would be O.K. with a limited role and smaller contract, he’d be a great fit in New England. Is that likely? Maybe not, but there’s been little word of other teams even being interested in signing him since he was released three and a half months ago. If it’s the scenario laid out above, or sit out the year entirely? That could open the door.
Mark Ingram
Sep 18, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram II (22) rushes against
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards (32) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY SportsAfter spending last season with the New Orleans Saints, it was reported earlier this offseason that Ingram had offers to get into broadcasting next fall. However, the 33-year-old has since said he hopes to play another season in 2023.
Could that season be with the Patriots? Ingram would add that bowling-ball running style to the Patriots’ running back room, as well as significant NFL experience.
Rex Burkhead
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 23: Rex Burkhead #28 of the Houston Texans carries the ball in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
If the Patriots want more of a pass-catching element from any newly-signed running back, they could turn to a familiar name in Rex Burkhead. After a stint with the Patriots from 2017-2020, Burkhead has spent the last two years with the Texans.
Burkhead bounced back from a serious 2020 knee injury to put up 613 all-purpose yards in 2021. Last year saw him end up with a reduced role, although he still caught a career-high 37 passes for 204 yards.
At 32 years old, Burkhead isn’t the player he was during his first stint with the Patriots. But could he give them one more season as an emergency running back option? That doesn’t seem unrealistic.
Kenyan Drake
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 20: Kenyan Drake #17 of the Baltimore Ravens runs for yards after making a reception in the third quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
From a former Patriot to a former Patriots villain. Could the Miracle In Miami touchdown scorer end up in New England?
Again, Drake could give the Patriots another pass catching back option if Montgomery can’t stay healthy and/or Strong isn’t ready for the role. At 29, he’s also one of the younger experienced backs available.
Drake had a career year in 2020 with the Arizona Cardinals, putting up over 1,000 all-purpose yards. After dealing with injuries during his 2021 season with the Raiders, Drake had over 500 all-purpose yards last year with the Ravens.
Marlon Mack
Dec 18, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos running back Marlon Mack (37) carries the ball for a touchdown past Arizona Cardinals linebacker Ezekiel Turner (47) in the second half at Empower Field at Mile High. Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Mack has been linked to the Patriots in the past, specifically when it looked like the Colts were going to deal him ahead of the 2021 trade deadline. Will they check in again now that he’s a free agent?
After a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2019, Mack tore his ACL in Week 1 of the 2020 season. He hasn’t been the same since, and has played in just 14 total games with three teams over the last two years (plus a preseason stint with a fourth team).
At 27, could he still get back to the player he was before the injury? That was the same question when it came to James Robinson, and the Patriots were willing to give him a look. Why not try again with Mack?
Benny Snell
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 28: Benny Snell Jr. #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter in the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
We’ll shift gears on the type of runner we’re talking about one more time for Snell. Unlike the previous backs who all profile as passing down players, Snell is a true bowling ball at 5-foot-10, 224 pounds. He’d certainly be able to take over many of Damien Harris’ responsibilities from last year.
After a promising rookie season in Pittsburgh, the 2019 fourth-round pick saw his workload decrease significantly over the past three years. A chance of scenery certainly could help him. He was also a regular special teams contributor for Pittsburgh all four years (ST usage rates of 67 percent and 65 percent the last two years, respectively), which could continue in New England.
Reggie Corbin
Michigan Panthers running back Reggie Corbin (18) runs the ball against the New Jersey Generals during the first half Sunday, April 30, 2023 at Ford Field. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/USA Today Network)
Now, maybe the Patriots just got with a back-end of the roster player to eat up snaps in the preseason and compete with Taylor for the practice squad spot. If that’s the case, one name to watch is Reggie Corbin.
Corbin has been one of the top running backs in the USFL the last two seasons. He’s a tough, disciplined runner who rarely fumbles. Could he be the next Ralph Webb?
