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New England Patriots: Five most important backups

By Sayre Bedinger

Jun 13, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) and wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (19) during minicamp at Gillette Stadium practice field. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) and wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (19) during minicamp at Gillette Stadium practice field. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Rex Burkhead (33) against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Rex Burkhead (33) against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Rex Burkhead, Running Back

The running back position for the New England Patriots looks like a big mess at first glance, but what it really is is just a bunch of guys who are good at a lot of things, not really great at any.

Of course, these are all elite athletes who are in the NFL for a reason, but compared to some of the best backs in the league, it’s often hard to explain why the Patriots have such great success at the running back position, from the top of the depth chart to the bottom.

Burkhead was a stellar running back at Nebraska, but has sort of played a variety of roles in his time in the NFL. His most extensive action came this past season when he averaged 4.6 yards per carry on 74 rushing attempts. To this point, he’s reportedly been one of the most impressive players at Patriots OTAs, and will play a significant role as a backup running back.

Burkhead can obviously carry the ball, and when he does, he has some power behind his 5-foot-10, 215 pound frame. He’s got nice open field quickness and soft hands as a receiver, and the Patriots have often found ways to make those types of players a thorn in the side of opposing defenses.

Burkhead may be a backup on the depth chart, but he’ll be one of the most hated players for teams that play against the Patriots in 2017.

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