RB Gillislee 'likely' to fill LeGarrette Blount role

By Daniel Cohen
Posted Jul 4, 2017 1:17 pm EDT • New England Patriots

ESPN reporter Mike Reiss says Patriots RB Mike Gillislee is “the most likely running back” to fill LeGarrette Blount's role in 2017.
Gillislee was very impressive after contact last season. His 3.3 average yards after contact per attempt ranked second in the league among backs with at least 100 attempts. In 2016, Blount averaged just 2.5 yards after contact per attempt.
Prior to 2016, Gillislee only averaged about 2.2 yards after contact per attempt on 53 attempts. However, he has now averaged 5.7 yards per carry in back-to-back seasons.
Gillislee’s competition at running back, Rex Burkhead, also had an impressive season running the ball in 2016. Burkhead also edged out Blount, averaging 3.0 yards after contact per attempt on 74 attempts.

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