X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

How to Approach the Patriots Backfield in 2019

Success for a running back in fantasy football is largely about volume. Workhorse backs who dominate snaps are ideal, committees who rotate depending on the game script are a problem. Less certain backfields start to become much more prevalent in the middle rounds and beyond in fantasy drafts, and deciding how to approach each one can massively impact whether you hit on your picks.

The New England Patriots might be the poster child for unpredictable backfields across the NFL. They are regularly touted by the fantasy community as a group to avoid in drafts due to how the team seems to go with a situational approach to running back usage (and even then, a hot hand could emerge a la Jonas Gray to completely muddle the picture). Unfortunately, the Patriots have also finished as a top-five offense in points scored for nine consecutive seasons, making them a prolific crew for fantasy prosperity.

What should fantasy owners expect from this backfield in 2019? What are the implications for draft day? These questions will be hopefully answered as I provide a brief of the Patriots running back group ahead of fantasy drafts for this upcoming season.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

The Pats Ground Attack Had a Resurgence

In what has traditionally been a high volume passing offense, the Patriots morphed into a rush-heavy attack as the 2018 season progressed. What's more, they did it with a great deal of success. After averaging 28.7 attempts per game and 116.1 yards rushing over their first nine games, New England started to rely more heavily on its stable of running backs to get the job done. The increase in attempts per game to 31.4 over their next seven contests may seem paltry, but their efficiency increased to the tune of 141.7 yards per game. When the regular season was said and done, New England had the third most rush attempts in the league.

Head coach Bill Belichick carried that offensive philosophy to the playoffs where the Patriots averaged 38 attempts and 161.7 rushing yards across their three playoff games. With such success on the ground, there is little doubt that New England wants to continue to build off of what they established heading into 2019. In fact, it may be necessary to focus on running the football with the retirement of stalwart tight end Rob Gronkowski.

 

RB Candidates for Fantasy Owners

Fantasy owners are undoubtedly only looking at three of the Patriots running backs to potentially add to their rosters: Sony Michel, James White, and rookie Damien Harris.

Michel is best characterized as a conventional first and second-down back in this offense after topping 200 carries in his rookie season. Our most recent memory of Michel was his two-yard scamper into the end zone to score the lone touchdown of Super Bowl LIII. His heavy usage and productivity in the postseason, 336 rushing yards and six touchdowns in three games, is likely to play into recency bias for fantasy owners who think he is undoubtedly worth his fourth/fifth-round average draft position.

However, it may come as a surprise to find out that pass-catching specialist White was on the field for nearly twice as many snaps as Michel in 2018. As Tom Brady's security blanket, White has excelled as a check-down and screen option with at least 55 receptions in all of his last three seasons. Some would argue that Michel's heavy usage in the playoffs was largely attributable to White dominating snaps over the Patriots' last five games. After all, Michel did not surpass 20 touches in any of his December games. The absence of Rob Gronkowski could further force offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to focus more on a quick-strike passing game and give fantasy owners a great return on their fifth/sixth-round pick. That said, White only received double-digit carries twice in 19 games last season and most of his value lies in PPR formats.

Throwing a wrench in the mix is the third-round selection of Alabama running back Damien Harris in this year's draft. Whether the motivation behind the pick was out of concern for Michel's knee (of which he has a risk of re-injury) or adding depth, Harris would likely fill in the early-down role that Michel currently occupies if an injury were to occur and his value would be through the roof.

 

How Should This Backfield Be Handled On Draft Day?

The reality is that fantasy owners will never get the certainty they want for the Patriots backfield so long as Bill Belichick is the head coach. While Josh McDaniels may continue to utilize a run scheme with heavy gap blocking that is perfect for Michel, White's role as a pass-catcher isn't going anywhere and neither are his snaps. The two backs offer a yin and yang situation for fantasy purposes. Michel has a slight edge in standard formats while White's value lies in PPR leagues.

As the Patriots take on different offensive identities to conquer their opponents, it's important to keep in mind that one such identity in their repertoire is a dangerous rushing attack. James Develin is a battering ram at the fullback position and the Patriots are one of the few teams in the league that employs a traditional fullback like Develin in the I-formation. While Michel should be the beneficiary of a rejuvenated commitment to the run, there is a scenario where Brandon Bolden and Rex Burkhead average ten carries per game. It's that risk which prevents me from overpaying (that is, leapfrogging a round early) for Michel or White on draft day. That being said, if either slip a round later than expected, they could become significant value picks that would be hard to ignore.

Know your league's scoring settings, identify the ADP where each back is going, and let the draft unfold as it does with an eye to not spending too much on a New England Patriots running back.

More Fantasy Football Analysis


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Christopher Bell16 mins ago

Powers His Way To A Second-Place Finish At Martinsville
Chase Elliott28 mins ago

Strong Martinsville Performance Ends With A Top-Five Finish
Kyle Larson50 mins ago

Collects A Top-Five Finish At Martinsville
William Byron1 hour ago

Places 22nd After Struggles At Martinsville
Nick Kurtz1 hour ago

Enjoying Hot Start At Triple-A
Joey Logano1 hour ago

Claims His First 2025 Top-10 Finish After Up-And-Down Performance
Coby Mayo1 hour ago

Goes Deep On Sunday
Chase Dollander2 hours ago

Strikes Out Five In Triple-A Debut
Dylan Carlson2 hours ago

Colton Cowser Placed On 10-Day Injured List, Dylan Carlson Recalled
Julio Rodríguez2 hours ago

Julio Rodriguez Goes Yard On Sunday
Tyler Reddick2 hours ago

Fails To Place In The Top 10 At Martinsville
Brandon Sproat2 hours ago

Stumbles In Season Debut
Roman Anthony2 hours ago

Goes Deep Twice On Sunday
Chris Bassitt2 hours ago

Excellent On Sunday Against The Orioles
Bryan Woo2 hours ago

Records His First Win On Sunday
JP Sears2 hours ago

Fans Seven In His First Start Of The Year
Kyle Manzardo3 hours ago

Goes Deep Again
Joseph Woll5 hours ago

Stands Tall On Sunday
UTA5 hours ago

Alex Kerfoot Leads The Way In Sunday's Victory
Tristan Jarry5 hours ago

Shuts The Door On Ottawa On Sunday
Sebastian Aho5 hours ago

Busy In Sunday's Victory
Anze Kopitar5 hours ago

Tallies Three Helpers On Sunday
Troy Terry5 hours ago

Exits Early On Sunday
Denny Hamlin7 hours ago

Silences Doubters After Crew-Chief Change
Ty Gibbs7 hours ago

Earns Best 2025 Finish At Martinsville Despite Failing Cool Suit
Ross Chastain7 hours ago

Has A Great Day At Martinsville
Chase Briscoe7 hours ago

Has Solid Run At Martinsville
Erik Jones7 hours ago

Disqualified At Martinsville For Weight Violation
Tanner Bibee14 hours ago

Throws 5 2/3 Shutout Frames
Daniel Schneemann14 hours ago

Homers, Draws Three Walks
Wilyer Abreu14 hours ago

Draws Three Walks
Aaron Judge14 hours ago

Goes Deep Again
Isaiah Hartenstein14 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Monday
Jaylin Williams14 hours ago

Could Miss Monday's Game
Jazz Chisholm Jr.14 hours ago

Jazz Chisholm Blasts Two More Homers
Chet Holmgren14 hours ago

Uncertain For Monday
Jonathan India15 hours ago

Hit In Head By Pitch
Jonathan Kuminga15 hours ago

Won't Return On Sunday
LeBron James15 hours ago

Expected To Suit Up Monday
Zach Wilson16 hours ago

Still Views Himself As A Starter
New York Giants16 hours ago

Victor Dimukeje Signs With Giants
Dallas Cowboys17 hours ago

Brian Schottenheimer Optimistic About Deal With Micah Parsons
Tyler Soderstrom17 hours ago

Hits Another Homer
Luke Jackson17 hours ago

Records Second Save
Jacob deGrom17 hours ago

Throws Five Scoreless Innings
Nathaniel Lowe17 hours ago

Collects Three Hits
Lane Hutson18 hours ago

Continues Special Campaign With Hat Trick Of Assists
Trae Young18 hours ago

Playing Versus Milwaukee
Anfernee Simons18 hours ago

Cleared For Action Versus The Knicks
Giannis Antetokounmpo18 hours ago

Available On Sunday Night
Nick Suzuki18 hours ago

Notches Three Points In Sunday's Win
Robby Fabbri18 hours ago

Not Expected To Return This Season
Jacob Trouba19 hours ago

Could Be An Option Sunday
Jalen Brunson19 hours ago

Cleared For Basketball Activities
Jordan Staal19 hours ago

Will Not Play On Sunday
Jerami Grant19 hours ago

Out Again On Sunday
Evgeni Malkin19 hours ago

Out Against Senators
Tobias Harris19 hours ago

Probable Versus Minnesota
Justin Fields19 hours ago

Aaron Glenn Thinks Justin Fields Is Ready To Break Out
Dennis Schröder20 hours ago

Dennis Schroder Expected To Face The Timberwolves
Cade Cunningham20 hours ago

Doubtful For Sunday Night
Mark Williams20 hours ago

Ruled Out Versus The Pels
Dak Prescott20 hours ago

"Doing Great" In Rehab From Hamstring Surgery
Jacksonville Jaguars20 hours ago

Fred Johnson Signs With Jacksonville
Tennessee Titans21 hours ago

Titans Still Entertaining Calls For No. 1 Overall Pick
Karel Vejmelka21 hours ago

Makes 17th Consecutive Start Sunday
Arvid Soderblom21 hours ago

Tries To End Four-Game Skid Sunday
Alec Martinez22 hours ago

Misses Fourth Consecutive Game
Robert Bortuzzo22 hours ago

Activated From Injured Reserve
Olli Määttä22 hours ago

Olli Maatta Considered A Game-Time Call Sunday
Logan Thompson22 hours ago

Starts Against Sabres Sunday
Rasmus Dahlin22 hours ago

A Game-Time Call Sunday
Cameron Payne22 hours ago

Ruled Out On Sunday
Miles McBride22 hours ago

Remains Out On Sunday
Scoot Henderson23 hours ago

Out On Sunday
Brandon Aiyuk23 hours ago

Deadline Coming For Brandon Aiyuk
Anfernee Simons23 hours ago

May Miss Sunday's Game
Ty Jerome23 hours ago

Out Again On Sunday
Kawhi Leonard23 hours ago

Sitting On Sunday Afternoon
Josh Berry1 day ago

Has Top-10 Upside At Martinsville
Joey Logano1 day ago

Don't Overlook Joey Logano This Weekend
Ryan Preece1 day ago

Could Get First Three-Race Top-10 Streak Of His Career
Chase Elliott1 day ago

Looking To Continue Great Runs At Martinsville
Christopher Bell1 day ago

Wins Pole At Martinsville, But Can He Stay Up There?
Ryan Blaney1 day ago

Fast In Practice But Skeptical About Car
Leon Draisaitl1 day ago

Leads The Way In Return
Artemi Panarin1 day ago

Scores Twice On Saturday
Denny Hamlin1 day ago

New Crew Chief Has Terrible Martinsville Record
Austin Cindric1 day ago

Martinsville Is Austin Cindric's Best Short Track
Kyle Busch1 day ago

Short-Track Performance At Richard Childress Racing Is Pretty Dire
Brad Keselowski1 day ago

If Brad Keselowski Has Any Speed Whatsoever, He's A Killer DFS Option
Dereck Lively II2 days ago

Ruled Out Versus Chicago
Chicago Bears2 days ago

Doug Kramer Jr. Re-Signs With Chicago
Washington Commanders2 days ago

Foster Sarell Inks One-Year Contract With Washington
Miami Dolphins2 days ago

Willie Gay Jr. Heading To Miami
Seattle Seahawks2 days ago

D'Anthony Bell Signs With Seattle
Houston Texans2 days ago

Texans Sign E.J. Speed To One-Year Deal
Buffalo Bills2 days ago

Bills, Christian Benford Reach Agreement On Four-Year Extension
Detroit Lions3 days ago

Lions Re-Sign Kayode Awosika
Irvin Charles3 days ago

Jets Re-Sign Irvin Charles
Green Bay Packers3 days ago

Kristian Welch Signs With Green Bay
Pittsburgh Steelers3 days ago

Jeremiah Moon Heading To Pittsburgh
Teagan Quitoriano3 days ago

Falcons Sign Teagan Quitoriano
3 days ago

Tetairoa McMillan Scheduled To Visit With Panthers
Baltimore Ravens3 days ago

Ravens Reach Three-Year Contract Extension With John Harbaugh
Steve Erceg3 days ago

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Brandon Moreno3 days ago

A Favorite At UFC Mexico City
Manuel Torres3 days ago

Set For Co-Main Event
Drew Dober3 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Mexico City
Joe Pyfer3 days ago

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Kelvin Gastelum3 days ago

Set For Middleweight Matchup
Vince Morales3 days ago

In Dire Need Of Victory
Raul Rosas Jr.3 days ago

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Saimon Oliveira3 days ago

Looks For His First UFC Win
David Martinez3 days ago

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Kevin Borjas3 days ago

Set To Open Up UFC Mexico City Main Card
Ronaldo Rodríguez3 days ago

Ronaldo Rodriguez Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Jhonattan Vegas5 days ago

Not A Good Play At Houston Open
Gary Woodland5 days ago

A Dark-Horse Candidate At Houston Open
Nick Taylor5 days ago

Keep An Eye On Nick Taylor At Houston Open
Mackenzie Hughes5 days ago

Avoid Mackenzie Hughes At Houston Open
Nicolai Hojgaard5 days ago

Looking To Rebound At Houston Open
Scottie Scheffler5 days ago

Returns To Houston Looking For Year's First Victory
Rory McIlroy5 days ago

Making Additional Start At Houston Open To Prepare For Augusta
Doug Ghim5 days ago

Looking For Iron Form In Houston
Aaron Rai5 days ago

Keep An Eye On Aaron Rai At Houston Open
Si Woo Kim5 days ago

Looks To Build On Recent History At Memorial Park
Harry Hall5 days ago

Looking For Consistency At Texas Children’s Houston Open
Harris English5 days ago

Looking To Build Off Solid Finish At The PLAYERS
Sahith Theegala5 days ago

A Risky Option At Texas Children’s Houston Open
Alex Smalley6 days ago

A Strong Play At Texas Children’s Houston Open
Michael Kim6 days ago

Bounces Back At Valspar Championship
PGA6 days ago

Sungjae Im Looking For Bounce-Back Performance At Texas Children’s Houston Open
Austin Eckroat6 days ago

A Player To Avoid At Texas Children's Houston Open
PGA6 days ago

Nico Echavarria A Volatile Option At Texas Children's Houston Open
Joe Highsmith6 days ago

Continues Post-Win Success And Is Looking For More In Houston
Adam Hadwin6 days ago

Far From Good Form As He Heads To Texas
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF