Patriots among team fits for RB Fred Jackson

Fred Jackson is the latest big name to find himself the victim of each NFL team cutting down its roster toward the final 53 of the regular season.

With the Bills trading for star running back LeSean McCoy in the offseason, Jackson became a luxury the Bills have decided they can live without.

But make no mistake: Jackson remains a very good player. Last season he had a positive grade as both a rusher and receiver, forcing 39 total missed tackles from his touches.

Which teams would benefit from signing him? Jackson’s work ethic and back story has always generated a strong feeling towards him in league circles, and New England head coach Bill Belichick is on record as having a huge amount of respect for Jackson. Don’t be surprised if the Patriots try to add him to their already crowded backfield.

Elsewhere, the Cleveland Browns are getting desperate enough at the position that Ray Rice's name has been mentioned as a possible signing, and the Houston Texans are lacking running back depth, with an overreliance on the health of the oft-injured Arian Foster.

Jackson is a complete back who can work in any scheme, and though he is getting on in years, he should have no shortage of teams looking to bring him in and improve their backfield depth.