The Patriots' posted unofficial depth chart lists Gillislee as a third-teamer.

EDGE Analysis

We're taking this with a grain of salt as he's listed behind Brandon Bolden, who's entrenched as a depth back/special-teamer. For our purposes we'll continue to pencil in Gillislee as the team's top fantasy option, given the likelihood that he eventually absorbs the bulk of LeGarrette Blount's previous early-down/goal-line role. That said, Gillislee faces competition from fellow offseason acquisition Rex Burkhead, plus James White and Dion Lewis handle the majority of the team's passing-down work. Regardless of where Gillislee ends up officially slotting, he'll be at the mercy of the Patriots' tendency to divide weekly carries in a game-plan-specific manner.

Gillislee took the first two goal-line carries at New England's first practice of training camp in full pads, ESPN.com's Mike Reiss reports.

EDGE Analysis

While a clear favorite to replace LeGarrette Blount as the team's primary early-down runner and goal-line back, Gillislee could face competition from fellow offseason acquisition Rex Burkhead. The latter offers strong blocking and receiving skills, but with James White and Dion Lewis expected to handle most of the passing-down work, Gillislee's lack of experience in that department shouldn't be too much of an issue. Burkhead did also take some goal-line reps at Saturday's practice.

Gillislee appears to be the Patriots' running back most likely to fill the void created by the departure of LeGarrette Blount, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.

EDGE Analysis

The Patriots have some depth at running back, with James White and Dion Lewis set to reprise their change-of-pace duties and fellow newcomer Rex Burkhead bringing valuable versatility to the mix. From a fantasy perspective, week-to-week touches out of the team's backfield could be difficult to predict and game-flow dependent, but we suspect that Blount's goal-line duties are likely to be absorbed primarily by Gillislee. Considering Blount's league-leading 18 rushing TDs last season, Gillislee is in a good position to better the mark of nine total scores he logged in 2016 while with the Bills. In the process, he averaged 5.7 yards over 101 carries, a rate that he also recorded on 47 rushing attempts in 2015.

Gillislee will officially join the Patriots after the Bills declined to match the two-year, $6.4 million offer sheet he signed with New England last week.

EDGE Analysis

Gillislee now enters a backfield already headlined by Dion Lewis, James White and Rex Burkhead, effectively ruling out the possibility of LeGarrette Blount returning to the Patriots in the process. Although Buffalo's decision not to match will cost New England a fifth-round pick, Gillislee provides the team with an ascending backfield talent. In 15 games last year as LeSean McCoy's primary backup, Gillislee rushed 101 times for 577 yards and eight touchdowns, and caught nine of his 11 targets for 50 yards and another score.

The Patriots have extended an offer sheet to Gillislee, who is a restricted free agent, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per the report, their offer is for two years and a total of $6.4 million, including $4 million in the first year of the proposed deal. According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, if the Bills don't match the offer, they'd receive a fifth-round draft pick from the Patriots. If Gillislee does end up with New England, it would effectively end the team's interest in re-signing power back, LeGarrette Blount, who led the NFL with 18 rushing TDs in 2016, while averaging 3.9 yards a carry. Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Gillislee put up some intriguing numbers of his own, running 101 times for 577 yards (5.7 YPC) and eight TDs in 15 games for Buffalo. He also caught nine passes for 50 yards and a receiving score. The Patriots' current backfield is comprised of newcomer Rex Burkhead, along with pass-catching aces Dion Lewis and James White, with D.J. Foster and Brandon Bolden in reserve.

Gillislee recently visited with the Patriots, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports.

EDGE Analysis

A restricted free agent, Gillislee carries an original-round tender, which means any team that signs him to an offer sheet would have to surrender a fifth-round pick if the Bills decide not to match the contract. With other options still on the table, New England probably isn't ready to seriously consider giving up a fifth-round pick for a running back of Gillislee's caliber. The team could still re-sign LeGarrette Blount, sign Adrian Peterson or another veteran, or even use an early draft pick on a running back. The Patriots are in the market for a power runner to fill the role Blount so capably handled the past two-plus seasons. Gillislee likely will end up playing at least one more season in Buffalo behind LeSean McCoy (ankle).

Gillislee was tendered by the Bills on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The tender will allow the Bills to match any offer Gillislee receives in the upcoming free agent window. The fifth-year back proved himself as one of the top backup running backs in the NFL last season, recording 101 attempts for 577 yards and nine total touchdowns. Buffalo's run-heavy offensive style creates a lot of opportunity for its backs, as the team averaged a league-high 164.4 rushing yards per game in 2016. Even though Lesean McCoy saw the brunt of the benefits from the Bill's rushing attack, Gillislee remained a very relevant piece of the offense. Considering McCoy's tendency to get injured, Gillislee should be one of the most valuable handcuffs available in 2017.

Gillislee carried 15 times for 40 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's game against the Jets. He also caught his only target for an additional 10 yards in the 30-10 loss.

EDGE Analysis

Gillislee saw his role expand as LeSean McCoy (ankle) was forced to leave the game, and despite his inefficient average of 2.7 yards per carry he was able to carve out a useful fantasy line due to the volume of touches he received. Although Gillislee played second fiddle to McCoy for most of the season, he will finish with an impressive total of eight touchdowns and averaged 5.7 yards per carry overall. He will be a free agent in the offseason and should command interest after a successful campaign as a part-time player in 2016.

Gillislee gained 91 yards on 11 rushes in Saturday's 34-31 overtime loss to the Dolphins. He also fumbled once but recovered.

EDGE Analysis

Gillislee was able to produce a season-high rushing total despite backfield mate LeSean McCoy amassing 128 yards on the ground in his own right. Gillislee's game-long 35-yard rush also represented his second-longest of the season, and he posted an impressive 8.3 yards per carry. The former Gator has proven himself one of the most capable reserve tailbacks in the league this season, and he'll look to put the finishing touches on a solid season in Week 17 against the Jets.

Gillislee rushed nine times for 37 yards and a score during Sunday's win over Cleveland while failing to haul in his only target.

EDGE Analysis

"Touchdown Mike" is up to eight total scores on the season and has seven in the past nine games, an eye-popping total for a guy whose main role is to spell LeSean McCoy. The Bills have galloped for 27 rushing TDs on the season and lead the NFL in almost all running categories, so even though McCoy remains one of the league's better bell-cow backs, there's still enough to go around for Gillislee to have modest value.