The New England Patriots have already put resources into the running back position. But if Bill Belichick is looking for an upgrade at any offense position, the running back spot seems to be where there will be a glut of talent in free agency.

At this point, the pending free agents include: Derrick Henry, Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler, Kenyan Drake, Kareem Hunt, Matt Breida, Jordan Howard, Carlos Hyde, Lamar Miller, LeSean McCoy, Gus Edwards, Jeff Wilson and Chris Thompson.

But there could be more players available.

ESPN did a series of NFL-wide bold predictions. One ESPN writer suggested the Arizona Cardinals could release running back David Johnson. His play has been a mess ever since his second season when he had over 2,000 years and 20 touchdowns. ESPN also suggested the Los Angeles Rams might shop Todd Gurley, whose contract is weighing down the cap. Even if L.A. traded Gurley (and absorbed his signing bonus onto the cap), Gurley’s salary and signing bonus dollars would still be high. He’d cost about $22 million over two years with an out after 2021.

The Patriots running back group is currently comprised of 2018 first-round pick Sony Michel, a power back who lacks receiving skills, and 2019 third-round pick Damien Harris, another power back who didn’t get any carries in his rookie season. Then there’s Rex Burkhead, a utilitarian who can play all four downs, even in a small workload. Finally, James White is among the best and smartest pass-catchers in New England. He may be a running back, but he proved such a significant threat in the passing game that he drew coverage from cornerbacks this season.

So how the heck does another running back fit into this group? The Patriots barely had room enough for the four above. Harris watched in his first season. With Michel taking 247 carries, Burkhead got 92 touches while White got 72 carries for 645 yards and five touchdowns. That’s roughly what’s expected from this group — and there aren’t many snaps or touches to go around. Technically, the Patriots could cut Burkhead or White with just a $1 million cap hit. White is safe, but Burkhead’s spot may be at some risk. Still, they’d have to get creative to get a new running back on the field; he would have to be a versatile threat.

Let’s say, for example, the Patriots wanted to bring in Ekeler. He proved to be one of the most explosive running backs in 2019 when he had 132 carries for 557 yards and three touchdowns with 92 catches, 993 yards and eight touchdowns. That’s a dangerous pass-catcher who could join an offense that struggled to generate passing yards last season. Perhaps the Patriots would want to try to spark Johnson’s career after a quiet set of seasons (with injuries issues). Even Wilson and Thompson, both of whom should come with small price tags, look like high-upside options for New England’s passing game.

Of course, the biggest question for the Patriots is who will be throwing the ball. Will it be Tom Brady — or someone else? But New England will need to support him in ways that it could not in 2019. Adding more talent at running back seems like one potential solution, even if it’s a little outside the box with their current roster composition.

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