Opposing Defenses: 14th Easiest

Opposing Rush Defenses: 5th Easiest

Last season, LeGarrette Blount scored a league-high 18 rushing touchdowns. WIth the New England Patriots' offense expected to be as high scoring as ever in 2017, it'd be wise to invest in the Pats' backfield.

But with the Patriots, it can be tricky to project backfield touches. It once again appears problematic this season with New England signing Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead in the offseason, while both James White and Dion Lewis will return.

Whichever back should emerge -- and Gillislee is the early favorite -- they will face a favorable schedule of run defenses in the upcoming season. While the Patriots only face the 14th-easiest overall schedule of opposing defenses, they do play the 5th-easiest schedule of opposing run defenses.

It's unreasonable to expect another 18-touchdown performance from a New England running back, but should Gillislee earn the lead role, he could have plenty of scoring opportunities.