Mike Gillislee

If there's been one thing Gillislee has been very good at, it's running the football, and particularly well at the goal-line. Over the last two seasons he's totaled 151.2 fantasy points on 148 carries. Yeah, and now he's going to an offense where the guy he's replacing led the league with 72 redzone carries. Nobody else had more than 59. There is risk, but it's well worth it.

Mike Gillislee has 'inside track' to start in 2017

New England Patriots beat writer Jim McBride believes Mike Gillislee has the "inside track" for the starting running back job in 2017.

Fantasy Impact

Gillislee to potentially start makes the most sense and is no surprise. He was acquired to replace LeGarrette Blount, last season's starter/ early down back, and has shown signs of his ability totaling nine touchdowns in 2016 behind LeSean McCoy in Buffalo. Following Gillislee, the trio of James White, Rex Burkhead and Dion Lewis will be in the mix for touches, but only the former has a clear cut role as the Patriots' third-down back/ pass catching specialist. From a fantasy football perspective, Gillislee is the top New England rusher to target in the mid-rounds of fantasy drafts with White and Burkhead worth late round fliers at the back end.