The Patriots are scheduled to meet with free agent running back Orleans Darkwa on Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
New England, of course, has already seen a significant amount of change in its backfield, as Dion Lewis defected to the Titans on a four-year deal while the Patriots added former Bengals runner Jeremy Hill on a one-year pact. Another ex-Cincinnati back — Rex Burkhead — was re-signed, and James White, Mike Gillislee, and special-teamer Brandon Bolden comprise the rest of New England’s running back depth chart.
Darkwa, for his part, hasn’t drawn any significant interest in the four weeks since free agency began. The Giants reportedly had interest in re-signing Darkwa, but they’ve since added veteran Jonathan Stewart and could consider Penn State standout Saquon Barkley with the No. 2 overall pick. The crosstown Jets, too, were eyeing Darkwa, but they’ve signed both Isaiah Crowell and Thomas Rawls.
Darkwa posted the best year of his NFL tenure in 2017 by setting career-highs in starts (11), rushes (171), yards (751), and touchdowns (five). The 26-year-old managed 4.4 yards per carry, and also added 19 receptions for 116 yards in the passing game. Overall, Darkwa was roughly a league-average running back, as he finished 22nd among 45 qualifiers in DVOA, Football Outsiders’ efficiency metric.
Will he leave his garbage giants and go to the dynasty? Hmmmm… I mean it makes sense ever since Lewis became a titan. But they still have burkhead and white don’t they
They have 5 potential backs. I don’t see why they’d look at this guy, but in BB we trust.
I think he could be a better option than Gillislee. Plus we have no idea what to expect from Hill, Bolden is more of a ST guy, White is a third down receiving back, Burkhead has shown potential and does a little of everything but has never carried a lead back role before. Don’t know if he can hold up. I think it’s smart and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to grab another one in the draft in the later rounds. This is a deep rb draft class.
It’s just another facet of the Patriot Way. Bill brings in a group of RB’s whose skill sets match the type of system he will be using. They all get to battle it out over the preseason and the guys who look best stay and obviously the ones who don’t are cut. Unless of course they show up overweight and are send walking right from the start.
They need to start focusing on the other side of the ball we have enough offense and special teams players
That’s what the draft is for. 🙂
Plus they re-signed Flowers, traded for McCourty, Traded for Shelton, signed Clayborn. Plus most injuries were on the D. Getting back HT, Jonathan Jones, Rivers, Langi will substantially help. Not like they didn’t make any defensive moves. Granted, I agree they need to make more.
To be real I forgot about Clayborn if they sign James H at some point towards the end of training camp I will be fine with everything they do need at least 2 linebackers from the draft though
Surprised there is not more teams on him. Tough guy to bring down and had a pretty good season for what it was worth. BB just doing his due diligence. Talent sitting around, BB will find it(and help it flourish more times then not).
No more Running Backs, sheesh. Would much rather Bill focus on Defense now