Deep RB Class Could Have the Patriots Re-Tooling
The Patriots have an interesting decision to make in the coming days in regards to their running back position. With both Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley hitting the market as free agents by March 10, they’ll have to decide whether to re-sign either or dip into a deep class of running backs in the 2015 NFL Draft.
The Pats double-dipped by selecting both Ridley and Vereen in the 2011 NFL Draft and effectively re-tooled the position on the fly. They may opt to it again in this year’s rich running back class. The team currently has LaGarrette Blount, Brandon Bolden, Jonas Gray, James White, Tyler Gaffney and Dion Lewis signed for the 2015 season.
Blount is the Patriots work horse and both Bill Belichick and the coaching staff have the confidence in him getting the job done as evidenced by the fact that they brought him back as soon as Pittsburgh released him in 2014 after a big second half of the 2013 season.
Bolden just signed an extension but is more of a special teams standout. Gray had the one big monster game in Indianapolis and then fell off the face of the earth faster than anyone could’ve imagined.
Gaffney and Lewis are interesting cases but complete unknowns at this point. Until they take the field and we can see them produce, they can’t be counted upon. There are plenty of backs available in the draft for the team to find a good option in the running game. But it is in the passing game that they’ll have to find a viable option if Vereen doesn’t return.
Questions About White: In a piece we wrote right after the Super Bowl, we stated the Patriots coaches had high marks for White and he was given a red-shirt type season in 2014. That apparently was incorrect. With a similar build and skillset to Vereen, White did flash early in camp and the team put more on his plate as the summer wore on.
But in talking with two inside sources this weekend during the NFL Combine, it was learned that the team has doubts that White can be the factor in the passing game that Vereen has been. And it may change their approach with the NFL Draft in Chicago this spring.
It doesn’t mean that the door has closed on White…far from it. He’ll still be given the opportunity to compete for reps and a big role in the offense. As one former AFC scout told us, “perhaps the light goes on (for White) in time, but it will be interesting to see how they approach a possible contingency plan.”
So while it is doubtful Ridley will return unless it is a one-year prove it type deal, does this mean that the team will make a concerted effort to bring back Vereen given their lack of options out of the backfield? Only to a degree… While the Patriots may go a tad higher than they normally would in trying to work out a new contract for Vereen, they won’t break their mold. One reason they’ve been so successful for so long is they don’t overpay in what they feel a player is worth, especially for running backs.
So what is the contingency plan? This year’s draft could see them delving for one or more of the talented players that will be available to them. They include:
Todd Gurley, Georgia – Gurley is being compared to Marshawn Lynch and at 232 lbs, is a punishing runner while displaying light feet, good vision and soft hands out of the backfield. He was arguably the consensus #1 back in the class if not for the fact that he tore his ACL in November.
Now three months removed from surgery, he is reportedly six weeks ahead of schedule. But his surgery may cause his draft stock to dip somewhat. Will it cause it to drop all the way to #32? Doubtful, but if it does, the Patriots have already shown with Dominique Easley in 2014, they won’t hesitate to bring in a quality prospect and give him time to heal properly.
Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska – Abdullah at 5’9, 205 is built similar to Vereen, and has been a very productive back for the Huskers finishing his career with 4588 rushing yards, second in Nebraska history to Mike Rozier. He’s a surprisingly physical player despite his size, with excellent acceleration, foot speed and reliability out of the backfield in the passing game with very good hands.
He has a lot of wear and tear however due to his workload and this may cause some teams to take a second glance. He’s coming off of a sprained MCL at the end of 2014.
Duke Johnson, Miami – Johnson has similar size at 5’9, 205 and rushed for over 1650 yards with over 2000 all-purpose yards in 2014. He’s not an insider runner but has good hands and will be a valuable piece in the passing game if he can get the ball in space. Johnson will probably be there into the second round of the draft.
Jay Ajayi, Boise State – Ajayi was extremely productive in 2014 with over 1800 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving. Quick, nimble and explosive at 6’0, 220, Ajayi plays with a chip on his shoulder. Very athletic in the passing game, he has soft hands and runs north-south once he gets the ball in his hands. He’ll go in the second round.
David Johnson, Northern Iowa – Johnson, a bigger back at 6’1, 225, is a strong, decisive runner who goes north-south and displays excellent hands out of the backfield. He’s been slotted as a possible H-back by many of the draft experts as a better fit at the NFL level. He should be available in rounds 3-4.
One free agent running back to possibly monitor will be C.J. Spiller from the Bills. A very talented runner, receiver and kick returner, Spiller’s knock is that he can’t stay healthy and on the field. Spiller could be signed on a one-year, prove it type deal.
If the Patriots are unable to re-sign Vereen, while it would be a big blow, it wouldn’t be the worst of times since the 2015 running back class is deep and talented. History being what it is, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Patriots double dip into the pool for some new talent. Of course the players they’ve stashed, White, Gaffney and Lewis will also have all spring and summer to make some noise as well.
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