New England Patriots: Complete 4-round mock draft

Dec 20, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) hands off the ball to running back Brandon Bolden (38) against the Tennessee Titans in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Titans 33-16. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 3, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Tra Carson (5) avoids the tackle of Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Zach Jackson (R) during the second half at Kyle Field. Texas A&M won 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 7, Pick 1: Tra Carson, RB (Texas A&M)

With the injuries to Dion Lewis, the Patriots offense became more limited and that only continued when LeGarrette Blount. While James White has really seemed to emerge, the Patriots still might look to add another body to their cast of guys in the backfield and using a seventh-round pick on Tra Carson from the Texas A&M Aggies seems like a good place to do that.

Carson has a skill-set that is at least somewhat redundant of Blount in terms of running style. Also boasting quality size at the position at 6-0, 230 pounds, Carson is a physical player who embraces the contact in the running game rather than shy away from it. What could potentially set him apart from Blount in certain ways is that, for his size, Carson is quite a deft pass-catcher out of the backfield. He’s not on the level of Lewis, but he looks slightly more capable than Blount in that regard.

Again, there’s no guarantee that the Patriots would want to add another back to their host of running back. But the injuries that they suffered in the 2015 season might cause them to add more quality depth at the position. They won’t be looking to use an early pick to do so, so looking at Carson in the seventh round seems like a great place to address that potential need.

Next: Round 7, Pick 2

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