So why is Patriots RB Brandon Bolden on the bubble?
When there has been a chance to take the reins as a feature back, Bolden hasn't impressed. It wasn't the case in 2012, and it wasn't the case in 2013 before LaGarrette Blount earned finally earned the nod toward the end of the season.
Then there's the issue of Bolden's role in the passing game -- he hasn't been great at it. According to Pro Football Focus, Bolden actually graded behind both Vereen (4.8 rating) and Ridley (-2.6 rating) in the passing game, finishing the season with a -3.3 grade. This, combined with propensity for bad drops when coming out of the backfield, calls his future as a receiving back into question.
Bolden's pass blocking wasn't much better. He received a -1.6 grade, and was charged with giving up three sacks and three QB hurries on the season. Meanwhile, Vereen received a grade of 2.0 while Ridley received a grade of 1.9. Neither was charged with a sack.
The team drafted James White, and in a news story we had a few weeks ago, a beat writer projected Vereen and White as the locks at RB with Stevan Ridley a pretty safe bet. The story mentioned undrafted rookie Roy Finch as someone to watch out for who could steal Bolden's roster spot.
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