Marlon Mack To The Patriots, Not So Fast.

The New England Patriots at one point had a stacked running back stable. Sony Michel, Damien Harris, Rhomandre Stevenson, J.J. Taylor, Brandon Bolden, and Tyler Gaffney. Flash forward and Michel is gone and White is on the injured reserve, while the Patriots are struggling to find consistency with that third down and pass catching back role.

The name that has been floating around is Marlon Mack from the Indianapolis Colts. After speaking with Lawrence Owens a member of the Colts media, Marlon Mack can do it all. He would bring just about everything to the Patriots that has been missing without James White. 

In September Mack asked the Colts for a trade. Mack told the press, "That’s part of the business. As a running back, they see you, they say I’m an old man already, but I’m only 25. That’s why I was like, I’ve got to go out there and get it now, because next year, teams will be like ‘I don’t want that old running back.’”

Over his career Mack has played in 46 games, missing most of last year only playing one game. Mack has rushed for 2484 yards with 20 touchdowns, averaging 4.4 yards per attempt. Mack has also caught 57 passes for 447 yards and 2 touchdowns. Mack also has 3 kick returns on his career, averaging 23 yards a return. 

On the season Mack has not really touched the ball. He's only carried it 28 times and caught 2 passes. The Colts have buried him and aren't using him.

Looking at what Mack provides, he's worth a third, maybe a fourth round pick. So what do the Patriots have to lose? Everything they spend on the trade. Mack is a free agents at the season. If the Patriots decided to make the trade, they would need a deal in place to keep him around because it's not likely that they're gonna get a compensation pick for him. 

The Colts seem content having him spend the season riding the pine and being used sparingly, so I don't see them making any moves that would make them have to pay anything extra to Mack. That would mean he would have to agree to a contract extension with the Patriots before the trade. That's a big risk. The Patriots might look into it but it could depend on how they feel about the season.

The Patriots have a big game coming up against the Chargers and losing would give them five losses on the year. The Patriots still have some tough games ahead, including playing the Bills twice. If the Patriots lose Sunday, they're season is all but over baring a miracle. And thus a trade would make no sense but a win could bring Belichick shopping. As much as people might not want to hear it, the focus at the moment should be all on the game and not the roster moves. So as Bill would say, "We're on to Los Angeles."