Rex Burkhead has fantasy potential in New England, though lacks a clear role

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Here are the fantasy implications of the New England Patriots signing free agent RB Rex Burkhead:

A sixth-round pick in 2013 by the Bengals, Burkhead received just 30 touches over his first three seasons, before injuries in the Cincinnati backfield forced him into a heavier workload toward the end of 2016.

Burkhead capped off a Week 17 win over Baltimore by gaining 119 yards on 27 carries, scoring a pair of touchdowns. On the season, Burkhead averaged a healthy 4.6 yards per carry on 74 attempts.

Also a capable pass-catcher, Burkhead hauled in 17 of 20 targets last season for a total of 145 yards. With the return of free agent RB LeGarrette Blount uncertain, Burkhead forms a versatile backfield with Dion Lewis and Super Bowl hero James White.

What New England decides to do with Blount will go a long way in determining whether Burkhead offers any fantasy value.

Blount had a career year in 2016, gaining 1,161 yards on the ground while scoring a league-high 18 rushing touchdowns. He failed to score in just three of 16 games, making him an extremely valuable fantasy asset despite his lack of pass-catching ability.

If Blount signs elsewhere as a free agent, and if another early-down runner isn't brought in, then Burkhead and Lewis could conceivably share carries for what looks like an incredibly potent New England offense.

Lewis has played exactly seven games in each of his two seasons as a Patriot, and was used much more frequently as a runner than a pass-catcher in 2016:

White looks to be entrenched as the third-down back, after recording a 60-551-5 receiving line last season. He received 39 rush attempts, averaging 4.3 yards with no touchdowns.

Ultimately, if Burkhead is seen as nothing more than a replacement for fourth-string RB Brandon Bolden, a core special-teamer who had just three touches in 14 games in 2016, then he can be ignored fantasy-wise. It's hard to believe he'd opt to join a team that wouldn't offer him the chance to build on his relative breakout, though.

More information will undoubtedly emerge throughout the offseason as to how the Nebraska product fits into coach Bill Belichick's plans, so he's certainly a name to monitor. If nothing else, he makes for a potentially shrewd late-round selection in best-ball formats like Myfantasyleague.com.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)