James White’s Return to Patriots Makes Him Worth Fantasy Consideration in PPR Formats

A three-time Super Bowl champion is staying in New England.

Patriots pass-catching running back James White has agreed to a one-year contract extension, as reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Wednesday.

White, 29, has spent all seven seasons as a member of the Patriots. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft from Wisconsin and has three Super Bowl rings from 2015, 2017 and 2019.

Last season, White rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns and caught 49 passes for 375 yards and a touchdown. He finished third in receiving yards among the other Patriots' underwhelming pass-catchers behind wideouts Jakobi Meyers and Damiere Byrd.

White is primarily deployed as a change-of-pace back. As such, his fantasy value stems mostly from the passing game in formats that award points for receptions. In 2020, he finished as RB58 in standard scoring, RB44 in PPR and RB51 in half PPR from Weeks 1 through 16.

The Patriots have made a number of high-profile additions this free agency, including tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith and receivers Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, which could cannibalize some of White's value as a pass-catcher with more mouths to feed.

In spite of their aggressive approach, they have yet to add depth at running back. White is worthy of consideration in the later rounds of PPR drafts.