The Patriots have mainly been a passing team over the last 20 years with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady running the show. They have had pass-catchers such as Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, and Julian Edelman, they but have not had such notable running backs. With Tom Brady throwing the football for touchdowns, there is no need for a star running back.
Now that Tom Brady is gone, and the Patriots are on a mission to find a new quarterback, is it also time to go on a search for a star running back? Right now is the perfect time to search for one, and there is one player that just stands out as a great fit.
Devonta Freeman was just cut by the only team he ever knew: the Atlanta Falcons.
Freeman had an injury-plagued 2018 and was not spectacular in 2019. Freeman finished with 656 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go along with 59 receptions for 410 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns in 2019. As recently as 2017 Freeman was a premier running back in the league and is still only 28-years-old.
In 2017, Freeman signed a five-year, $41.25 million contract extension with the Falcons to become the highest-paid running back in the NFL at the time. That was coming off their Super Bowl appearance against the Patriots in 2016 and Freeman’s two Pro Bowl appearances in 2015 and 2016. Freeman was selected to the second-team All-Pro in 2015, and that same year was the NFL’s rushing touchdown leader.
Over his career, he has played in 77 of 96 possible games, rushing for 3,972 yards on 951 attempts, scoring 32 touchdowns. He also has 257 receptions for 2,015 yards and has scored 11 receiving touchdowns. He is a dual-threat that still has a chance to be a great asset.
The Patriots ranked 18th in the league in rushing yards last season and need an upgrade from Sony Michel and James White.
