The supply of running backs in the NFL is overwhelming. And the demand for their talents has been driven down by passing-focused offenses.

So Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are adding running backs in droves. If free agent backs will agree to a deal of $3.5 million or less per year and they can help Tom Brady score touchdowns, then they’re on the team. Sign ’em up. That said, if they’re new to New England, they don’t get much job security — if any.

Belichick doesn’t want his running backs hungry — he wants them ravenous.

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The Patriots added Rex Burkhead on a one-year deal worth $3.15 million. It screamed: Prove it. The back has shown the ability to excel on all four downs, though he hasn’t proven he can do so over a long period of time. Hence, the one-year deal. The Patriots also added Mike Gillislee on Monday for $6.4 million over two years. He’s likely going to start training camp as the featured back, as he’s making the most money among all Patriots’ backs in 2017.

One back got job security: James White. The new deal came after he set an NFL record for points in a Super Bowl. White received an extension worth $12 million. He’ll still make next to nothing in terms of salary in 2017, but he’ll get a fat signing bonus upfront. The Patriots will retain their pass-catching running back in White before he hits free agency and leaves like Shane Vereen.

The Patriots have proved to be some of the biggest running back buyers on the 2017 market. This is the same team that had LeGarrette Blount, who set the Patriots’ record for rushing touchdowns, play for $1 million last season. The change in philosophy seemed to come last season when they affirmed something they probably already knew: running backs are the best value in the NFL. And they were only scraping the surface. So for 2017, they’re clearly doubling down on backs.

It’s not just quantity. They’re looking for quality.

While Belichick doesn’t believe in analytics — or at least says he doesn’t — Robert Kraft is a firm believer. And likely not coincidentally, Burkhead and Gillislee were the two most efficient runners in 2017, according to both Football Outsiders and NumberFire.

But we don’t have to look at advanced statistics to see the two new backs have profound potential. Gillislee averaged 5.6 yards per carry. He also ran well in Blount territory (also known as the goal line), and finished 2016 with eight touchdown runs. Most importantly, Gillislee had 18 carries, 115 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in his two games against the Patriots. The Bills didn’t realize they were digging their own grave by showcasing Gillislee. After those performances, he was effectively a Patriot.

Burkhead is less of a downhill runner, though he brings some pass-catching skills. He even returned kicks and recorded 13 special teams tackles, which is more than special teams ace Matthew Slater in 2016. Burkhead can do everything, and likely will in New England.

Patriots extend an RFA offer sheet to Mike Gillislee? New England would then have @numberFire's two most efficient backs from last year. pic.twitter.com/aE5fuIL0T8 — JJ Zachariason (@LateRoundQB) April 18, 2017

Now, the Patriots have to figure out how they’re going to distribute the ball among their stacked backfield.

Should they run the ball between the tackles with Gillislee or Burkhead — or Lewis? Heck, they can run it with White. He rushed for the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LI.

Who should they split out wide? White, for sure. Or Lewis. But then again, Burkhead can get it done at the receiver position.

And what about a screen play? They’re all capable.

The beauty of this conundrum is that, on every down, the Patriots are going to have different answers to the same questions. If they want, they can avoid tendencies, and use the element of surprise. Opposing teams will have to study up on all New England’s running backs, because they will all likely contribute.

And then they’ll put two running backs on the field at the same time. At that point, the opposing defense won’t have the personnel to match up. The Patriots will put two players on the field who can do the same thing, and the opposing defense will only be equipped to defend one of them. The result will be first downs. Lots of them.

And if one back gets hurt — and in the NFL, that’s inevitable — they’ll have a backup. They’ll also have two able backups to that backup. But because they’re so deep, Burkhead, White and Lewis won’t really be backups to Gillislee. They’ll all be starters. So losing one player won’t ruin New England.

While the Patriots invested a lot of money into the running back position for their standards, they’re going to get their returns on offense. The Patriots wouldn’t have signed these players if they didn’t think they’d make an impact.

Expect big things from the Patriots running backs this season — the Patriots clearly do.