The Patriots added two intriguing pieces this past weekend when they signed free agent running back Jeremy Hill and traded for return specialist Cordarelle Patterson.

At 6-1 233, Hill is a big back who runs down hill and pushes the pile. He is a short yardage, goal line back who could complement the other running backs on the roster well. The Patriots signed Hill to a one year, $1 million dollar deal with incentives.

It will be interesting to see if Hill makes the makes the team. Mike Gillislee is currently occupying the “big back” role on the roster but he spent most of last season in Bill Belichick’s dog house.

Belichick traded a fifth round pick for Patterson and a sixth round pick. Patterson is an explosive kick returner who has six career returns for touchdowns. He is not only a weapon in the return game, he can also be a weapon offensively. Patterson can be used in a myriad of ways both as a runner and receiver (Patterson has six rushing touchdowns and seven receiving touchdowns in his career). He is lethal one on one in space.

You never really know what Belichick is thinking when it comes to players but these two acquisitions do fill a need on the roster. The Patriots needed a bigger back to complement their other backs and they needed a return man to replace Danny Amendola and Dion Lewis. Belichick filled both of those voids with these two acquisitions.