Joseph Addai got a minimum contract from the Patriots this offseason, but Mike Reiss of ESPN New England believes that Addai could be the Patriots’ biggest free agent steal. Addai is 29 and doesn’t have much left in the tank, but he’s a veteran runner with good hands as a pass catcher and pass protector. Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley were both high picks of the Patriots’ last year, going in the 2^nd and 3^rd round respectively, and they are getting the 1^st team reps in OTAs, splitting them evenly.

However, Belichick is known for being unpredictable with his running backs and he does tend to favor veterans. Still, my money would be on Vereen and Ridley getting the bulk of the carries. The Patriots didn’t draft Ridley and Vereen for noithing. Addai will probably only see some passing downs behind Danny Woodhead, if he even makes the roster. For what it’s worth, Reiss does mention Addai is a “mentor-type professional,” which is a way he can provide value to the organization without stepping onto the field.

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]