In a crowded backfield, usually only one can prevail, but this is the New England Patriots we are talking about. Bill Belichick and his relationship with running backs are strange and unpredictable. He rarely commits to a single back and will switch between backs with little to no care.
Last year, there was the assumption Dion Lewis, who missed most of the season, would eventually become an asset like he was in 2015. Instead, the Patriots ended up sticking with James White throughout most of the season while LeGarrette Blount – also a player who some figured would be an afterthought – amassed 18 rushing touchdowns.
This offseason, the Pats have sent mixed signals. White and Lewis are back, which would have been tough enough to handicap. However, the team signed Rex Burkhead away from Cincinnati, indicating that he’s likely to be a part of the running game. Then the Patriots signed away restricted free agent Mike Gillislee from Buffalo.
This makes drafting Patriots backs a challenge. This year the Pats have five running backs on their roster, none of which look like fantasy superstars. If one takes the reigns, though, he’d be one of the most valuable backs in all of fantasy football. Here is a ranking, from best to worst, of the Patriots running backs in terms of fantasy,
Mike Gillislee
The Patriots added Mike Gillislee, stealing his services from their division rivals the Buffalo Bills. Gillislee is the best all-around back on New England and has the greatest upside entering the season. He should get the goal line carries. However, do not expect Gillislee to match the fantasy production Blount had in 2016. Although Gillislee is a much better receiver and a more balanced back than Blount, the latter’s 18 touchdowns are not doable and neither is 299 rush attempts. Gillislee will have a better yards per rush average than Blount, who only managed 3.9 per carry, making him a more efficient rusher and the best fantasy back in New England for 2017.
Rex Burkhead
A career backup for everything but the final game of the 2016 NFL regular season, Burkhead should not be this high on the list, but that last game has the fantasy community interested. In the final game of 2016, as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, Burkhead rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns, while catching two passes for another 25 yards. Burkhead is a solid all-around player and could get some more opportunities if Gillieslee or James White deal with injuries and/or are not very good.
James White
After a stellar performance in Super Bowl LI, the role of receiving back should go to James White. However, nothing in New England is given. White caught 60 passes last season for 551 yards and five touchdowns. The addition of Burkhead and Gillislee, plus the return of Lewis will likely cut into White’s numbers this season. White is at most worth a later round pick and should be a bench warmer until the Patriots backfield situation starts to clarify after a few games.
Dion Lewis
Coming into 2016, Dion Lewis was a hot commodity in fantasy football. A year later and Lewis is barely on anyone’s fantasy radar. Lewis still holds a small bit of value in very deep PPR leagues, but otherwise is not worth drafting. Consider watching him on the waiver wire this season, as any sort of shake-up in New England’s backfield will benefit Lewis and his fantasy value.
Brandon Bolden
As the number five running back on New England, Brandon Bolden will spend the majority of 2017 as a special teamer, getting an insufficient amount of carries and targets to warrant any sort of consideration in fantasy. Bolden had 19 total yards from scrimmage last season. Bolden most productive season came in 2014 and 2015. However, his efficiency as a runner certainly lacked, evident by the fact he averaged less than 3.5 yards per carry both years. There is no reason Brandon Bolden should be on your fantasy team. While the Patriots backfiend is a murky situation in terms of fantasy, this is one clear-cut situation. Bolden doesn’t have value right now.
Click here to bet on the football futures for the 2017 NFL season right now. DSI will have all of the latest lines, spreads and props for this year’s action!
