Previewing this year’s running back class ahead of free agency.
The New England Patriots are expected to be among the most active teams in NFL free agency this offseason. Not only do they have holes all over their roster and several crucial areas that need to be addressed, they also have vast resources to play with: New England is tops in the league with over $130 million in salary cap space available.
Will some of that money be invested in the offensive backfield? It seems possible considering the return of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and the way he runs his offense.
Patriots’ current running back situation
New England entered the offseason with three running backs signed for the 2025 season, including its top two from last year. Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson are both set to return, even though there are questions about both of them: Stevenson struggled with ball security in 2024, while Gibson appeared to have been underutilized by the previous coaching staff.
On paper, though, they are a viable one-two punch at the position and a solid core to build around. Joining them on the team is youngster Terrell Jennings, while veteran JaMycal Hasty is headed for the open market as an unrestricted free agent.
Tight end/fullback hybrid Giovanni Ricci additionally signed a reserve/futures contract with the team last month.
Patriots free agency targets at running back
While the running back position is a deep one in this year’s draft, free agency is a different story. Even big names such as Nick Chubb, Najee Harris or J.K. Dobbins are not sure-fire bets to have a transformative effect on an offense. As a consequence of that, and the Patriots already having a combined $10 million in salary cap space tied up in Stevenson and Gibson, their only investments — if they make any — will be of the low-profile variety.
Raheem Blackshear (RFA): A restricted free agent, Blackshear will not be tendered by the Carolina Panthers. As a result, he will become available once the market opens on March 12, allowing the Patriots and other teams to pursue him. Why would New England do so? His production as a running back is nothing to write home about — 68 touches, 341 yards, 3 TDs, 3 fumbles — but he does offer experience as a return man. Blackshear ranked second in the NFL with 791 kickoff return yards in 2024, running back a league-leading 31 kicks.
Michael Burton (UFA): Even though he has played for six teams in his 10-year career and is already 33, Burton could be an attractive target for New England for one particular reason: he is one of the NFL’s better fullbacks and as such would make sense to be added to Josh McDaniels’ offense. He also is coming off the most productive season of his career from a statistical perspective: Burton touched the ball 17 times for 73 yards and a pair of touchdown during his 2024 season with the Denver Broncos.
Reggie Gilliam (UFA): Another fullback, albeit one who is five years younger than Michael Burton. Gilliam spent his entire five-year career so far with the Buffalo Bills, serving as a lead blocker in the running game and a core special teamer. In fact, his 330 kicking game snaps ranked first on the team last season. While he is averaging only 0.3 touches per game since entering the NFL, the 27-year-old therefore has the makings of a valuable contributor regardless of where he ends up in free agency.
Kene Nwangwu (UFA): Patriots fans may remember Nwangwu’s name from 2022, when he scored a 97-yard kickoff return touchdown for the Minnesota Vikings against the Patriots. The kicking game would also be the main reason why New England would pursue him in free agency: Nwangwu has been a non-factor on offense for most of his four-year career, but he is averaging 28.7 yards per kickoff return and has scored four career touchdowns — including one last year under the NFL’s new rules.
Patrick Ricard (UFA): A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection, Ricard leaving the Baltimore Ravens seems unlikely. That being said, if there is one team that might make him reconsider his allegiances it would be the Patriots: Ricard is a Massachusetts native, who went to college in Maine. Most importantly, he would join a team capable of making him the highest-paid fullback in football.
The Patriots taking to free agency to increase the depth behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson could happen, but as the names above suggest it seems more likely that they would target a fullback rather than a halfback. If they do go for the latter, special teams considerations might factor into their decision-making process.
At the end of the day, however, New England exploring the rookie pool late in the draft and/or in free agency rather than invest serious resources in veteran free agency appears to be the most plausible course of action. That, and a fullback being brought aboard one way or another.