The New England Patriots have one of the deepest running back corps in all of football, but that does not mean the team won’t look for ways to improve it with cutdown day and the final preseason game on the horizon. On Sunday, the reigning world champions did therefore not just sign one back to their roster — Robert Martin, who will likely see action on Thursday with roster locks sitting out the game — they also brought one in for a workout.
According to NESN’s Doug Kyed, the Patriots worked out rookie James Williams who previously spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Indianapolis Colts. Despite going undrafted in late April, Williams would bring an intriguing background to the table. He appeared in a combined 39 games at Washington State and took over as the team’s feature running back during his 2018 redshirt junior season.
In this role, Williams proved himself a versatile back: he carried the football 122 times for 560 yards and 12 touchdowns, and also added 613 yards and 4 scores on 83 receptions. His combined 205 touches, 1,173 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns led his team by a significant yardage last season and earned Williams an honorable All-Pac 12 selection. But despite his success, he created little momentum heading into draft season.
Ultimately, Williams did not hear his name called during the draft before later joining the Chiefs and Colts on short-lived free agency contracts. Now trying to find a new team, he would be a potential practice squad candidate if signed by the Patriots. That being said, yesterday’s addition of Robert Martin might serve as an indication that New England will not bring the 6-foot-0, 205-pound back on board at this point in time.