Spent eight seasons with the Patriots

James White. First class.

One of the most respected players in the NFL calls it a career after a significant hip injury. (James White on Twitter)

Nerdy Football Analysis: White spent eight seasons in the NFL, all with the Patriots. He injured his hip last September which derailed his season and started 2022 training camp on the PUP list. His pass-receiving chops made him a valuable asset in PPR leagues. As usual, the Patriots have a number of options at the running back position including Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong Jr. and veteran Ty Montomery. Harris and Stevenson are the most fantasy relevant for now.

Third-year RB making strong push to back up James Conner

The marriage between player and team was rocky. Eno Benjamin was inactive every game of his first year, and even into last season, it looked like the back’s future would probably be somewhere besides where he became a college star. It’s what makes Benjamin’s spot now so surprising. No player on the roster has been praised more this offseason than Benjamin. And not the baseline coach-speak praise Kingsbury can sometimes dole out, but legitimate compliments to a player who he wouldn’t have before.

“I would’ve never expected him to come this far,” coach Kliff Kingsbury said. Early on I didn’t know if he could figure it out. Professionalism and work ethic and understanding his role and all those things. Each year he has just gotten progressively better. He’s one of the hardest workers on the team now. Always upbeat, always into it. Just really come a long way.” (AZcardinals.com – Darren Urban)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Kingsbury has routinely praised Benjamin this offseason, as have some of his teammates. Benjamin started getting into Kingsbury’s good graces toward the end of last season and appears to be pretty close to securing the backup job to James Conner. While it may be too much to ask for Benjamin to assume the same role Chase Edmonds has held in this offense, his skill-set makes it a strong possibility. Fantasy managers need to make sure he is a priority near the end of drafts.