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New England Patriots: Who is the Receiving Back?

By Dan Schmelzer

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Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have typically used a running back by committee approach in recent years. Belichick clearly believes in finding multiple backs to fill different roles throughout the course of a game.

Since the team drafted him in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Shane Vereen has filled the receiving portion of the Patriots’ committee approach. Vereen runs very smooth routes and has consistent hands that allowed him to become one of the most dangerous receiving threats out of the backfield in the entire NFL.

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots running back Shane Vereen (34) catches a pass in front of Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Last year, Vereen had the best season of his career, when he hauled in 52 receptions for 447 yards and three receiving touchdowns during the regular season. He also had 391 yards on the ground on 96 carries (6.0 yards per carry average) and two rushing touchdowns. Vereen capped off his career-year with a clutch 11-catch, 64-yard performance in the Patriots’ Super Bowl XLIX victory.

Vereen proved to be a very important player in the Patriots’ offense, but in typical Belichick form, they allowed him to walk away in free agency. Vereen signed a three-year, $12.35 million contract with the New York Giants this off season, as the Patriots refused to overpay for a player who they felt they could replace.

Now, the returning LeGarrette Blount with a little bit of Jonas Gray and Tyler Gaffney mixed in should take care of the Patriots’ “power back” role, but who will replace Vereen as the passing down back?

The way I see it there are three obvious contenders to replace Vereen’s role in the Patriots’ offense. The competitor who has been with the team the longest would be Brandon Bolden, who has been on and off of the Patriots’ active roster for the past three seasons.

Nov 30, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; New England Patriots running back Brandon Bolden (38) as Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Sam Barrington (58) is blocked attempting to make the stop during the game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Bolden is a physical runner with solid speed and good receiving ability out of the backfield. His best season came in 2013 when he had 271 rushing yards on 55 carries (4.9 YPC average) and three touchdowns. Bolden also had 21 receptions for 152 yards that season.

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He has never seen a huge role in the Patriots’ offense, but Bolden is a guy who is familiar with what they are trying to do. He does not bring much upside as Vereen’s replacement, but the Patriots could certainly do worse.

When the Patriots took him in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, many figured that James White was brought in to eventually take over for Vereen. White is a natural pass catcher out of the backfield, and has good speed and burst in and out of his cuts.

He was always involved in some sort of platoon role in college, and seems to have the perfect skills to do the same for the Patriots. That being said, White barely saw the field last season. He only played in three games, and picked very few numbers to speak of as a runner or a receiver.

It is certainly possible that the Patriots just gave White a year to get acclimated to the NFL game, but it is also fair to wonder whether the coaching staff lost confidence in him as the season went along. White has as much, if not more upside than any player in the Patriots’ backfield. It would be nice to see him get a chance to hammer down the receiving back role.

The Patriots signed free agent RB Travaris Cadet to a two-year contract this off season, and he enters this competition as the most proven pass-catcher. Cadet latched on to the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2012, and had some success in his three seasons there. Cadet is coming off of a breakout 2014 season where he had 38 receptions for 296 yards and a touchdown.

Aug 28, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Travaris Cadet (39) is pursued by Baltimore Ravens linebacker John Simon (94) during the first half of a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Cadet is a very quick back with good hands and great versatility. He lined up all over the field for the Saints, and that is obviously something that will come in handy for the Patriots. Belichick loves when players have the ability to play multiple positions, and I imagine that will get Cadet on the field quite a bit.

The Patriots also brought veteran Dion Lewis into the backfield mix this off season, and while he is a bit of a longshot to have a role, he is a very elusive player who has the similar kind of versatility as Cadet. Lewis would have to be very impressive in camp, but I would not rule him beating one of these guys out and having a role on this team.

Right now, Cadet and White are probably the favorites to take over as the passing down back for the Patriots. That being said, Bolden is a big-time special teams contributor, and that may give the Patriots more of an incentive to give him an opportunity offensively.

The Patriots have found a nice mix of talent at the position, and while it will not be easy, I think they can successfully replace Vereen with some combination of these players.

No matter who looks to be ahead at the moment, this is going to be a battle for playing time throughout camp. Each of these guys will get a legitimate opportunity to earn a role in the Patriots’ offense. May the best guy win.

Next: Geneo Grissom a Perfect Fit for Patriots

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