The New England Patriots’ depth is being tested yet again. This time at the running back position.
TreVeyon Henderson is reportedly expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Sunday’s 45-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, leaving Rhamondre Stevenson and Corey Kiner as the only RBs on New England’s active roster. Lan Larison is the only RB on the Pats practice squad.
Perhaps the Patriots will simply elevate Larison. Or, they could sign someone like veteran Jamaal Williams, whom they worked out last week.
But if the Patriots turn to the trade market for help at running back, there are some interesting options who could likely be acquired for a reasonable price.
Here are five names that stand out as realistic targets:
Kimani Vidal or Keaton Mitchell, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have rolled with a three-way committee at running back with 2025 first-rounder Omarion Hampton, Vidal, and Mitchell splitting carries. Hampton would almost certainly be out of New England’s price range, leaving Vidal and Mitchell as the most reasonable trade targets.
Vidal, 25, was a sixth-round pick in the 2024 draft. The Troy product totaled 643 rushing yards (4.1 YPC) and three touchdowns last season with L.A. He also caught 16 passes for 136 yards and a TD.
Through five games this season, Vidal has 88 rushing yards on 16 attempts (6.3 YPC). His 42-yard TD run vs. the Denver Broncos on Sunday helped to bolster those numbers:
As for Mitchell, the Chargers signed the undrafted RB to a two-year deal in the offseason. He spent the first three seasons of his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens, including last year when he totaled 341 rushing yards (5.8 YPC) and one TD.
Mitchell has made an impact on the ground and through the air in five games this season with L.A. The East Carolina product has 33 carries for 135 yards (4.1 YPC) as well as 12 catches for 52 yards and a TD.
The Chargers are 0-5 and have the RB depth to make either Vidal or Mitchell expendable, so the Patriots should give their front office a call.
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Pollard is in the final year of his Titans contract, and Tennessee is 0-5 this season. That makes him an obvious trade candidate, especially since the Titans already have a solid, younger RB in Tyjae Spears.
It likely wouldn’t cost anything more than a Day 3 pick to pry Pollard from Tennessee. Given his experience and ability to impact the game as both a rusher and receiver, he’d be a nice replacement for Henderson.
Devin Singletary, New York Giants
It doesn’t make much sense for the Giants to keep Singletary on their roster at this point. The 29-year-old veteran has been a healthy scratch since Week 2 because New York has Cam Skattebo, Najee Harris, and Tyrone Tracy ahead of him on its RB depth chart.
Singletary isn’t a game-wrecker, but he can be effective in the running game and as a receiver out of the backfield. He notched 437 yards and five TDs on 119 carries (3.7 YPC) last season while catching 18 passes for 154 yards.
It shouldn’t cost anything more than a seventh-rounder to add Singletary, making him a good depth addition for New England while Henderson misses time.
James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Conner hasn’t played since Week 3 of last season due to a foot injury. When he returns from IR, which should be soon, he won’t have a clear role on a Cardinals team that drafted rookie phenom Jeremiyah Love and signed the reliable Tyler Allgeier to back him up in the offseason.
Obviously, whether the Patriots should consider acquiring Conner depends entirely on his health status. If he’s ready to make an immediate impact, exploring a trade for him should be a no-brainer.
