What It Means:

Burkhead gets a $550,000 signing bonus, but his base salary drops from $2.5 million to $1.05 million and his available roster bonuses fall from $500,000 to $400,000. The move creates a little under $1 million in cap space for the Patriots. Burkhead is unlikely to see consistent snaps this season unless Sony Michel or James White suffer an injury. He logged double-digit touches in two of the first three games last season but never hit the mark again the rest of the way. Burkhead was efficient when given the opportunity, with 4.6 yards per carry and a career-high 10.3 yards per catch. The latter ranked second-most in the league among running backs with at least 25 receptions. Burkhead turned 30 last week.

numberFire's models project Burkhead for 306.2 yards from scrimmage and 2.5 touchdowns on 61.1 touches (10.3 receptions) this season. He's the RB66 in our preseason fantasy rankings.