Rhamondre Stevenson: In line to cede start to Gibson

Stevenson might not be very fast or quick, but it’s rare to see a 230-pound back with the flexibility and coordination he has. His ability to absorb a hit and maintain balance allows him to shed tacklers and move forward rapidly even without standout speed, making Stevenson an improbably slippery ballcarrier for someone so big. The standout coordination has allowed him to become a capable pass catcher, which is another part of why he’s such a good fantasy back. The list of players who can credibly take on 300 carries and 50 catches in a season is highly exclusive, and Stevenson is one of them. The Patriots probably overindulged on Stevenson’s pass-catching usage last year — the 4.7 yards per target is potentially an indication of overexposure — but he’s capable of doing more as a runner than the Patriots allowed in 2022. Whether he gets that chance this season is still to be determined, as the Patriots lost bruiser Damien Harris to the Bills but signed Ezekiel Elliott in August. Stevenson is still the starter and first receiving option out of the backfield, but Elliott likely will cut into his carries, especially at the goal line. Stevenson.

Rookie running backs can have a tough time getting going in New England. Stevenson was no exception after being taken in the fourth round in 2021, playing only four snaps through the first three weeks of the season and not taking on a significant role in the offense until Week 9, when he piled up 106 total yards on 12 touches against the Panthers. He followed that up with 100 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Browns, and from that point on the backfield was essentially a timeshare between Stevenson and Damien Harris, with each taking their turn in the spotlight. Stevenson is the bigger back of the two, and he broke 16 tackles last year on 133 carries – the second-best rate in the NFL behind only fellow rookie Javonte Williams. Despite the impressive pro debut, Stevenson’s outlook for 2022 is murky. Harris is still under contract for another year, Ty Montgomery is trying to earn a role on passing downs and the Patriots added two rookie backs on Day 3 of the draft. That leaves Stevenson in a likely committee role again, with Harris the biggest obstacle short term.

Stevenson, who the Patriots list at 6-foot, 227 pounds, was taken by the team in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and since then has opened eyes with his preseason efforts. Though the Patriots have in the past tended to ease rookie backs into the equation, Stevenson figures to mix in on early downs behind top option Damien Harris, after the Patriots traded Sony Michel to the Rams in late August. That leaves Stevenson one injury (or benching) away from steady carries. Also in the team’s backfield mix are change-of-pace back James White, 5-foot-6, 185-pounder J.J. Taylor and special teams ace Brandon Bolden. While Stevenson’s immediate path to fantasy lineup utility is currently muddled, the Oklahoma product is well worth a late-round flyer/auction end-game bid, given that his profile in New England’s offense could grow as the 2021 season progresses.