Sports predictions are wrong far more than they are right, but part of the fun of sports is making predictions, and ours is to keep your eye on Mike Gillislee when you bet on NFL this season.
Everyone knows the New England Patriots are the team to beat. You do not have to like them to appreciate that fact. On a team that isn’t afraid to spread the ball around, it is definitely interesting to try and figure out who the team’s breakout star will be, not just from season to season, but from week week.
And with every offseason, the reigning champs have been using their offseason to do a bit of maintenance and rebuilding. Starting cornerback Logan Ryan was replaced with Stephon Gilmore, while departed running back LeGarrette Blount, who set a team record for rushing touchdowns with 18 in 2016, still has his role up for grabs.
Gilmore’s contract made him the headliner on the defensive side of the ball, while trade acquisition Brandin Cooks is drawing plenty of attention on the offensive side with his big down-the-field plays that have been on display in training camp.
However, one running back remains somewhat under the radar as we approach mid-August, and that is restricted free agent acquisition and former Buffalo Bill, Mike Gillislee. Gillislee has battled a hamstring injury during camp, a pre-existing condition from the offseason and one not expected to hold him back during the regular season.
With an excellent offensive line and quarterback to support him for the first time in his career, Gillislee should be primed for a breakout season, despite the presence of a stacked Patriots backfield that will use each back in specific situations. None will be the bellcow back, but Gillislee should take over Blount’s short yardage carries, especially on the goal line.
Nothing is ever certain in then Patriots backfield, but Gillislee’s hard-charging style and ability to make something out of nothing should help transform the offense.
ESPN is clearly convinced and selected him as the breakout star for the new season. Obviously, Gillislee has a lot to do. Not only does he have to adapt to the rhythm of his new team but he must also prove himself.
You could see the confidence in Gillislee’s stride during the Patriots’ recent attempts to work on their goal-line running. There was no fear in Gillislee as he took a crack at the ball, sending it over the goal line.
There are people who loved LeGarrette Blount, and he certainly brought some great energy and plenty of short yardage touchdowns. However, it will only take a couple exciting, hard runs for Gillislee to win them over. Gilislee is just the kind of back the Patriots have lacked since the inconsistent Stevan Ridley and the fumble-less Benjarvus Green-Ellis.
That should give Patriots nation plenty of reason to be excited about what the new running back can bring to the offense.
All that’s left is for Gillislee to get out of the tub and start showing more of what he did early in camp.