A to Z Sports is reviewing the New England Patriots’ 2022 NFL Draft class ahead of the team’s upcoming organized team activities next week.

Next up in our Patriots 2022 NFL Draft review is an offensive playmaker who could slot into a key role in New England’s offense led by new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.

Round 4, Pick 127: South Dakota State RB Pierre Strong

2022 Summary: Strong played in 15 games but only carried the ball 10 times for 100 yards with a touchdown while adding seven catches for 42 yards. He played 51 total offensive snaps and another 143 snaps on special teams.

What lies ahead: There are snaps to divvied up among Patriots running backs this season after the departure of Damien Harris. It also would not be surprising if Rhamondre Stevenson saw fewer plays in 2023 than his 698 offensive snaps last season.

The role that would make the most sense for Strong is on third downs in a pass-catching/sub-package role a la James White, Shane Vereen or Kevin Faulk. Strong has plenty of upside as a pass catcher in New England’s offense, but he’ll need to prove he’s as dependable as a pass blocker as Stevenson to get the big back off the field.

Strong’s biggest competition for the third-down role is from veteran Ty Montgomery, who missed most of the 2022 season with injury, and free-agent pickup James Robinson, who has 91 career catches for 617 yards in three seasons and hauled in 49 passes as a rookie in 2020.

Strong is slightly undersized at 5-foot-11, 207 pounds but is an exceptional athlete. He ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash with a 38-inch vertical leap, 10-feet, 4-inch broad jump, 6.95-second 3-cone drill and 4.25-second short shuttle coming out of South Dakota State. Even if he can’t take on the third-down role, he could be an effective change-of-pace back as a speedster on early downs. He can also continue to grow as a special-teams contributor.

If the Patriots are looking to get more speed and play-making ability on the field, then they need to find a role for the second-year pro. Fellow 2022 draft pick Kevin Harris is further competition for snaps. 

If Strong can make a second-year leap, he'd be the perfect complement to Stevenson.

Other 2022 NFL Draft picks: OT Andrew Stueber, G Chasen Hines, DT Sam Roberts, RB Kevin Harris, QB Bailey Zappe

Featured image via Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports