New England Patriots second year running back, JJ Taylor is about to make his way onto plenty of fantasy rosters this year. A multi-purpose back out of the University of Arizona, Taylor delivered on many opportunities during the 2020 season.
Free agency is going to come at the Patriots running back corps this year as a scythe does to a wheat harvest. The vacancies that are going to be created in the running back room are going present plenty of opportunities for Taylor in 2021. Vacancy isn’t his primary leverage though.
Taylor has the skill set to run between the tackles and on the perimeter. He posses exceptional pass catching prowess, athleticism, yards after the catch, and is not afraid of contact in blocking assignments. Last year, he showed flashes of promise which should have only increased confidence levels in fans and coaches alike.
A PATH FORWARD
With Free Agency on the horizon, players are set to depart their current teams in hopes of finding success elsewhere. Positional depth charts will begin to bloom open like flowers during Spring time and opportunities will begin to be afforded to players whom have been chomping at the bit for a chance to get some more playing time.
Taylor currently finds himself sitting behind Damien Harris, Sony Michel, James White, and Rex Burkhead. Given the financial and performance based circumstances of those players, it’s looking more and more like Taylor has a pretty clear path up the depth chart.
At 29 years old, James White still has plenty to offer as a pass catching running back. However, his contract expired at the end of the 2020 season and at this point in his career, it wouldn’t be in the best interest for him to re-sign. White is projected to sign with an organization which is already setup to win where his abilities would be an added luxury. It is on White’s departure on which Taylor’s success is most contingent on.
In case you haven’t been watching football for the last couple years, Sony Michel is essentially dust at this point in his career. Sadly, consistent lower body health issues have complicated his trajectory. The level in confidence of Sony Michel has also become apparent with him being leapfrogged by Damien Harris, who is clearly the superior running back. Unless, Michel agrees to substantially restructuring his contract, I do not see him sticking around for another year.
Rex Burkhead is a 30 year old unrestricted free agent. He’s played 60 percent of his total games and has already seen his best days of football. He has most likely seen his last snap in New England.
Of these running backs, I’m projecting both Damien Harris and JJ Taylor to be the only remaining two from the 2020 season.
Bill Belichick has always bolstered a talented running back corps. I fully expect him to bring in a veteran presence from free agency as well as drafting another. Veterans such as Kenyan Drake, Jerick Mckinnon (end of his career) , Matt Breida (often injured), or Mike Davis (28 years old) could be signed on. But with Taylor being the younger and more explosive back, I am confident that he will have a weekly contributing role in the offense.
I profile Taylor to take up the role Dion Lewis once had on the offense: Not a full time early down runner, but a fairly even split along with the majority of receptions (What do you want from me? It’s the Patriots backfield).
J.J. TAYLOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
Taylor spent his entire collegiate career serving as the primary running back at the University of Arizona. During his four year tenure at Arizona, he rushed for 3262 yards and 18 touchdowns on 587 attempts while catching 62 balls for 487 yards and 2 TDs. His sophomore year (breakout year) was the only season that he carried the ball more than 200 times and ran for more than a 1000 yards. His 2019 season was cut short by a lower leg injury limiting him to only 11 games. However, during his time in Arizona, Taylor provided ample evidence as to why has has the tools to contribute in 2021.
HOW CAN J.J. TAYLOR CONTRIBUTE?
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At 5-6, 185 pounds, Taylor’s BMI puts him in the 60th percentile. While not known for his head on tackle breaking ability, his smaller stature lends him an edge of being able to shed defenders that take bad angles. This really shows up in third and short situations when trying to pick up first downs. Taylor’s athleticism and balance are one his strongest suits as well. He can jump over defenders a foot bigger than him and land on his feet while maintaining good balance. He is 5-6!
Taylor’s pass catching will be his fantasy bread and butter going into the 2021 season. He will go up and get the ball with reckless abandon. He’s useful in the screen game as well as on seam and wheel routes out of the backfield. Linebackers struggle to cover him, as they should, in the second level.
Taylor also posses great acceleration when running through the tackles and guards. My favorite feature of Taylor is his ability to use good technique when engaging blocks. Before you ask, yes, this matters for fantasy. Better blocking on 3rd downs is the key to passing down work.
His open field athleticism and balance are a delight to watch as well. He consistently exploits defenders who over pursue with a variety of change of direction moves. Here he is in week 16 of last year giving Buffalo Bills safety, Jordan Poyer, a reason to stay after practice.
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Whether it’s been rookie running backs which were immediate starters, or developmental prospects, the New England Patriots have always done well for themselves in the running back department. Running backs of Taylor’s type have always thrived in the Patriots offense. The upcoming free agency period should unburden the Patriots running back roster giving Taylor a rise up the depth chart. At 23 years old, he has the tools he needs to succeed on the Patriots and our fantasy rosters, with room to grow.
