One Patriots UDFA reportedly already repping with top unit
It hasn't taken long for New England Patriots undrafted rookie Lan Larison to make noise in the running back room.
The former UC Davis running back was taking reps with the top unit in the first week of organized team activities, as noted by 98.5 The Sports Hub's Alex Barth.
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Patriots starter Rhamondre Stevenson was away from the team at the open OTAs practice last week, mourning personal tragedies. That opened up the door for Larison, who could make a strong case as a complementary option in the running back room.
He can run, catch and pass protect out of the offensive backfield. Those kinds of versatile running backs typically do well in a Josh McDaniels-style offense.
'He was on the field with the top unit quite a bit. That's with Rhamondre Stevenson not there. So it comes with that caveat," Barth said on Patriots Catch-22. "But you talk about that third running back spot, it kinda seems like he's pushing Antonio Gibson already. He has some burst. Now the top end speed, is he the fastest running back? No. But his ability to get to his top speed on cuts is impressive."
Patriots Wire's Jordy McElroy had Larison making the roster in a recent early 53-man roster projection for the Patriots.
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Even if Larison doesn't surpass Gibson, he could serve as a solid No. 4 option in a room that will likely be spearheaded by Stevenson and rookie second-round draft pick TreVeyon Henderson. It could become one of the deepest running back units the Patriots have had in quite some time.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: One Patriots UDFA reportedly already repping with top unit
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