Insider Reveals Key To Winning Patriots Third-String Running Back Job

Insider Reveals Key To Winning Patriots Third-String Running Back Job originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots will continue to have a two-headed monster in Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.

Yet, ahead of OTAs and training camp, the battle for the third and likely final running back will be an interesting one. The battle will feature Terrell Jennings, Jam Miller, and Lan Larison.

Although all three can help run the ball, Patriots insider Evan Lazar of Patriots.com believes the job will likely go to the best kick returner, as the third-string running back will likely handle kick return duties.

“The Pats opted not to add a veteran back in free agency, so it'll come down to a roster competition between Jennings, Larison, Miller, and undrafted rookie Myles Montgomery. Jennings is the only back in that group with NFL experience, playing 77 offensive snaps and 69 special teams snaps in his first two seasons,” Lazar wrote in an article published on Monday. …

“One thing to keep in mind in this competition is kickoff return upside, as the Pats RB3 was used frequently as a returner last season, whether it was Jennings, Antonio Gibson, or D'Ernest Johnson. Whoever wins the job out of camp will likely return kickoffs, so showing well in that role could be the deciding factor.”

Given that Jennings has NFL experience, he would appear to have the leg up. Yet, New England used a seventh-round pick on Miller, so perhaps the Patriots will want to get a good look at him.

Regardless, it appears the Patriots' kick returner will likely come down to who wins the third-string running back job.

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