New England Patriots Should Target Free Agent RB Bryce Brown
The New England Patriots have continued to ignore their lack of talent at the running back position. How about a free agency flier on a guy who has some upside?
Heading in to this off season, the running back position appeared to be on the short list of positions that the New England Patriots would look to upgrade. I did not really expect them to sign Matt Forte or another major free agent at the position like some had talked about, but I am surprised to see them do nothing.
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Last year, the Patriots found a diamond in the rough in Dion Lewis. They took a flyer on the talented journeyman back and Lewis quickly became a star for the team. Unfortunately, after an incredible start to the season, Lewis suffered a major knee injury in the Patriots’ seventh game of the season that forced him to miss the rest of the season.
Lewis could be ready to return to the field next year, but to expect him to be at full strength at the start of the season would be foolish. So, after not signing a major free agent at the position and shockingly not taking a single running back with any of their 2016 NFL draft picks, what are the Patriots going to do now?
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Forgive me if a mix of LeGarrette Blount, James White, Donald Brown and Brandon Bolden doesn’t get me excited. Sure, it helps if Lewis can play, but should they really be counting on a back who relies on speed and agility less than a year after a torn ACL?
At this point, the Patriots’ options of adding another running back to the mix are extremely limited. Arian Foster is the most well-known player available, but he is not a very strong option with his own injury issues. I suppose they could look to someone like Ahmad Bradshaw or Fred Jackson, but I like the idea of the Patriots shooting for upside.
He is not a perfect option, but former Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks running back Bryce Brown would be worth a shot in the dark.
Similarly to the addition of Lewis last year, Brown is an extremely talented player who has always shown great upside at the running back position, but has never put it all together in the NFL.
Brown had a bit of an opportunity with the Seahawks last season when Thomas Rawls went down with a season-ending injury, but was beaten out by Christine Michael. Brown was once considered to have an impressive combination of power and speed as a runner. He has not had too many carries as a back in the NFL, and at only 24-years-old (soon to be 25), I see no reason why he should not have fresh legs.
Now, I understand that adding Brown to the mix would be nothing more than a flyer. If they were to sign him tomorrow, then he would still be a relative long shot to make the opening week roster. That being said, we were saying the same kinds of things about Lewis last year.
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The Patriots clearly lack impact talent at the running back position. Bryce Brown is far from a perfect player, but he does have the kind of upside that no other back on the Patriots’ roster (besides the injured Lewis) has.
There is nothing to lose. The Patriots should give Bryce Brown a shot to prove himself in their backfield.