Patriots Lock Up Dion Lewis Through 2017

Dion Lewis has been a pleasant surprise for the New England Patriots and fantasy football owners. Rarely does Bill Belichick enter contract negotiations with players during the season, but he made an exception for Lewis. The Patriots and Lewis agreed to a two-year contract extension, worth $4.4 million, which will keep the running back in New England through 2017.

The deal reportedly includes a $600,000 signing bonus and a $2 million in base salary. Lewis can earn an additional $1.8 million through incentives in 2016 and 2017. Before the 2015 season, Lewis signed just a one-year deal with the Patriots worth just $585,000. In other words, Lewis should have been more than happy to sign the deal.

Lewis has become a must-start in all fantasy football formats. He may lose some goal-line work to LeGarrette Blount, but he should more than make up for that in the passing game. Lewis has a great matchup in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys.