Albany Product Dion Lewis Gets Big Role Opening Night

Many believed that Albany Academy's Dion Lewis was a bubble player for the New England Patriots going into the 2015 NFL season. Now, he has a chance to be an immediate impact player. Lewis is slated to take a majority of the third down plays in the Patriots opening game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Lewis shockingly made the team over Jonas Gray. The 5-9, 195-pound running back impressive in the preseason and showed a versatile skill set. He will likely be the guy running when the bruiser LeGarrette Blount is out. During the preseason Lewis rushed for 24 yards on six carries and caught nine passes for 56 yards and a score in three preseason games.

With Shane Vereen now on the New York Giants, Lewis came in at and ideal time. Vereen was the Patriots main receiving running back, and Lewis showed that he can be the guy to replace him with his good preseason play.

Bill Belichick has been known to take guys that have been journeyman around the league, and make them into impact players, and Lewis looks to be his newest project.