Ben Tate says he can be elite
Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) runs the ball and is tackled by Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman (50) during the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans running back Ben Tate is the top free agent RB available, with Denver Broncos starter Knowshon Moreno the consolation prize. Although there are questions regarding Tate’s ability to be a feature back in this league, I don’t think there’s any question that the 25-year-old Auburn product is a very talented back. There was never any room for him in Houston behind elite starter Arian Foster, but Tate should be able to carve out his own starting career with someone else.
Teams looking to sign a running back will go after Tate first, and the Cleveland Browns need an RB more than anyone at this stage. They look like the most likely landing spot on paper, and any team that signs Tate will hope for consistency on the health front and on the ground.
Tate himself doesn’t lack for confidence, and he believes that he can be an elite running back in this league. He said to FOX 26 Sports Houston, “I think I can bring you an elite running back. I’ve learned a lot being behind Arian. Definitely, when I’m healthy I think I’m an elite running back in this league, and I feel like I can show my abilities and my numbers and my play will speak for itself, and guys will be able to see that I am a guy who is a top-five running back in this league, which I believe once I get out there and get to show that on a consistent basis. ”
I doubt he’ll be an elite back, but Tate should be a very good starter in this league. He had 942 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just 175 carries as a rookie, and he had 771 yard and four TDs on 181 carries last year.