Patriots reportedly showing interest in ‘blue-chip’ draft prospect at surprising position

Tackle, cornerback, wide receiver. Those have been the consensus top targets for the Patriots at the top of the 2023 NFL Draft, in which they hold picks 14, 46, and 76 in the top 100.

Of course, just because that's the consensus doesn't mean the Patriots will use those three picks on those three positions. If they end up looking elsewhere, tight end, edge rusher, and safety have been suggested as other positions that could be in their sight.

One position that hasn't been a part of the conversation? Running back. However, that changed on Wednesday with a report from Jeff Howe of The Athletic.

Howe's column is, for the most part, about the reported strained relationship between head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Mac Jones, and the trade rumors that have come with it. But Howe included a nugget about the Patriots' potential draft plans as well.

"They’re building the running game around Rhamondre Stevenson and have quietly shown interest in adding another blue-chip back in the draft," Howe writes.

Overall, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Patriots draft a running back at some point in this year's draft. Stevenson returns as he enters the second half of his rookie contract, but after that the position does have a number of question marks.

2022 fourth-round pick Pierre Strong and sixth-round pick Kevin Harris barely played as rookies, while veterans James Robinson and Ty Montgomery are both coming off of seasons in which they were limited due to injury. That lack of dependable depth at a position where depth is everything, combined with the fact that they've drafted at least one back in four of the last five drafts, suggests they'd be using one of their 11 suggestions on a running back eventually to bolster their depth.

But a "blue-chip back" wouldn't be an 'eventual' pick, and would be about more than adding depth. Howe later added on Twitter that the Patriots "are absolutely intrigued by Bijan Robinson," a running back out of Texas who is expected to be a fringe first-round pick and the first player off the board at the position. Robinson is considered a generational prospect for the position. He's a do-it-all back who runs through defenders, around defenders, and makes them miss all at a high level, while also contributing as a pass catcher.

There's one other "blue-chip back" in this class, who might actually make more sense for the Patriots. That's Jahmyr Gibbs, who new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien worked with at Alabama last year.

We detailed back in January that it wouldn't be surprising if O'Brien wants to work with Gibbs again in the NFL. By the end of last season, the entire Crimson Tide offense was built around Gibbs in what was just his first season with the program (he transferred from Georgia Tech). Used at times as a slot receiver in addition to running back, he led the team in both rushing (151 carries, 926 yards seven touchdowns) and receiving (44 catches, 444 yards, three touchdowns). He was one of only three running backs in college football this year to finish the season with PFF rushing and receiving grades over 80, joining Georgia’s Kenny McIntosh and Oklahoma’s Eric Gray.

The biggest road block towards setting up an O'Brien-Gibbs reunion is again, the investment. Gibbs is expected to go in the top 40 selections, and while there is a chance he falls to 46, more realistically the Patriots would need to move up in the second round to get him.

Even if the Patriots are "absolutely intrigued" by Robinson and are familiar with Gibbs, we still don't know to what extent. They're both good players, and they certainly can recognize that without intending to draft either one.

To this point there has been no reports of them meeting with either player. In fact, they only have two running back pre-draft meetings on the books at this point. One with Kendre Miller of TCU who is projected to go early on Day 3, and most recently with Aidan Borguet of Harvard, who is expected to go undrafted.

For a full breakdown of this year's running back draft class, check out the running back edition of our Position Preview series.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.