The Patriots Have Potential To Be Set For The Next Four To Five Seasons At The Position.

The Patriots have had a third down back, going back to Kevin Faulk at the least. The Patriots have had James white in that role the past few seasons but as White ages, he is slowly becoming expendable and the Patriots need to start looking for his successor.

White has been primarily used as a pass catcher but to say that's all he is, would be to undervalue him. In 2018 the Patriots turned to White when Michel was out. White was second in the team in carries and in yards. Rushing 94 times for 425 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Patriots just don't use White as a feature back and many think he's under utilized.

Currently the Patriots have three backs with high expectations of being a number one or two back, even if one is thought to be on the way out. That's Damien Harris, the underrated Sony Michel, and the rookie Stevenson. These guys are going to be the one-two punch or the three headed dragon, depend on if they keep Michel. With White sprinkled in for flavor.

Many are wondering who's going to replace Burkhead. In 2021, that's going to be Stevenson. Sure, Taylor was also a spark plug but Stevenson is a bigger bodied ball carrier who just happens to have a set of hands. That role should be his to lose.

As for replacing James White, that role should fall to J.J. Taylor. Taylor is like 5'5" 160 pounds soaking wet. We didn't get to see much of Taylor in 2020 but then again, That season was just weird. Look how long it took for us to really see Meyers.

In 2020 Taylor ran it 23 times for 110 yards and caught a pass for 4 yards. That's not a lot to go on but in college Taylor had 587 carries for 3263 yards, with 18 touchdowns. He also had 62 catches for 487 yards, 32 catches coming in his final year for 289 yards. Taylor also has special teams experience which Belichick prizes.

Eric Zierlien of NFL.com wrote about Taylor in 2020 saying, "Short but stout runner whose running style is more power back than water bug. Taylor has been a productive college back who runs decisively both inside and outside, but does not have the burst or wiggle teams are looking for from smaller runners. His size is a hindrance but he might have an outside shot if he can rebrand as a matchup pass catcher out of the backfield."

David Latham of the last word wrote, "J.J. Taylor is not a special talent, but he could last in the NFL if he lands in the right spot. While some teams are going to be turned off by his size, running backs like Danny Woodhead, Dion Lewis, and Jacquizz Rodgers proved it’s possible for shorter running backs to succeed in the NFL. As a runner, Taylor is capable of reading his blocks, picking up the available yardage, and making guys miss along the way. His height sometimes works to his advantage, as linebackers have a difficult time finding a 5’5” runner behind a wall of 6’-3” monsters. In the passing game, Taylor has soft, reliable hands and the lateral agility to make guys miss and be a genuine threat in the passing game."

The thing I am going to take away from Latham is "landing the right spot." The Patriots know how to develop third down backs. Both guys suggest him as a pass catching back, which is the James White role. There are many many more that shared the same sentiments when scouting Taylor.

Ivan Fears, position coach for the Patriots spoke about Taylor saying, "Little Dion, that’s what he is. Little Dion. Exciting, fun ...

Have you seen him out there? Same quickness. Same suddenness. He’s a hell of a pass-catcher. Guy’s got great vision. There’s a [expletive] load of stuff that’s good about him."

There was a lot of hope for Lewis but greed and pride got the best of him, as evident by his comments after he signed with the Titans. If Taylor has Lewis's abilities but the mindset that is the Patriots way, he could be around for a while. 

I have said and I believe that the Patriots are going to go thin at wideout, stock piling players on the practice squad while going heavy at tight end and running back due to the personnel groups and formations they'll be running.

With Brandon Bolden sitting out a year, the Patriots had time to develop Taylor into Bolden's role, so I expect a competition between the two for special teams play. Bolden has always been under used and has reminded me of a Rex Burkhead light.

With many fans also seeing Taylor as a Burkhead light, if he can knock off Bolden, and the Patriots can find a way to hang on to Sony after the season, the Patriots could be set at running back for the next five seasons. Which would definitely help Mac Jones Develop.