The New England Patriots typically use several running backs and determine their workloads based on specific weekly matchups, but there have been some signs that they’re looking to lean on one back more heavily than the others in 2018.
Rex Burkhead, who is dealing with a minor knee injury but expected to be ready for Week 1, could play a major role for the Patriots this season. With Dion Lewis having left in free agency and first-round pick Sony Michel missing the last three weeks of practice with a knee injury, Jeff Howe of The Athletic wrote on Friday that he expects Burkhead to be a “focal point” of New England’s offense.
As Howe notes, Burkhead has good hands and should be heavily involved in the passing game with Julian Edelman suspended four games to start the season. The obvious concern with the 28-year-old is that he battled injuries last season and is banged up again, but he scored five touchdowns in the last four regular season games he appeared in last year.
It can take a while for players in New England to earn Tom Brady’s trust, and Burkhead has already done that. Michel hasn’t been on the field enough to establish good chemistry with Brady, which is why Burkhead projects to be the most involved early on. Of course, there will probably be weeks when James White catches 10 passes and either Jeremy Hill or Mike Gillislee score a pair of touchdowns, but Burkhead appears to be the safest bet to be involved on a weekly basis.
