Rhamondre Stevenson Season is Now Upon Us
I normally live by a rule to fade Patriots running backs. I mean, there is a reason they rarely go early in your drafts. Between the team’s constant need to run several RBs at the same time, Tom Brady not being there to check the ball down now, and Bill Belichick literally stating he doesn’t care about fantasy football, the situation hasn’t really seemed to ever work out. The only time it has is when there’s been a clear pass catcher in the backfield. And this year, Rhamondre Stevenson seems to be that guy and might be one of the best sleeper running backs to target in fantasy football.
With James White retiring and Damien Harris now reportedly on the trading block, the Patriots RB1 and receiving back role might just open up. While it’s a small sample size, White did see at least six targets in both games he played last season. Based on training camp and last season, it seems like Stevenson is the perfect person to take up both roles.
Last season, Stevenson was severely under the radar with regard to his pass-catching ability. He only caught 14 passes last year, but his efficiency was off the charts, posting 1.54 yards per route run which was only behind Alvin Kamara and Austin Ekeler — both elite pass-catching backs in the game. He’d utilize all the opportunities he could get despite being buried under the roster behind a head coach who doesn’t like to play rookie running backs much.
Throughout Patriots training camp, beat reporters raved about how Stevenson was increasingly employed in the passing game. He lined up more consistently beside Mac Jones in the backfield and established his pass catching ability. Stevenson himself said he has felt “a lot more comfortable and confident running routes and catching passes out of the backfield.”
Fast forward to now and Stevenson is a sophomore RB and the clear RB2 in the backfield behind Harris. The Patriots actively shopping Harris might mean that they are confident in Stevenson to take the next step and get value for Harris before his contract runs out this year. Such a reality seems to follow the trend that Belichick lives by, which is to allow his sophomore RBs to break out.
Since 2006, running backs have gone through what is called “the Patriots way”:
Laurence Maroney
2006: 175 carries, 745 yards, six rushing touchdowns; one receiving touchdown.
2007: 185 carries, 835 yards, six rushing touchdowns.
Stevan Ridley
2011: 87 carries, 441 yards, one rushing touchdown.
2012: 290 carries, 1,263 yards, 12 rushing touchdowns.
Shane Vereen
2011: 15 carries, 57 yards; one rushing touchdown.
2012: 62 carries, 251 yards, three rushing touchdowns; eight receptions for 149 yards, one touchdown.
James White
2014: nine carries, 38 yards; five catches for 23 yards.
2015: 22 carries, 56 yards, two rushing touchdowns; 40 receptions for 410 yards, four touchdowns.
Sony Michel
2018: 209 carries, 931 yards, six rushing touchdowns; seven receptions for 50 yards.
2019: 247 carries, 912 yards, seven rushing touchdowns; 12 receptions for 94 yards.
Damien Harris
2019: Four carries, 12 yards.
2020: 137 carries, 691 yards, two rushing touchdowns. Five receptions for 52 yards.
Players do better in their second season with the Patriots because Belichick seems to trust them more as they adapt to the Patriots offense. This would indicate that Stevenson should have a significant role both this upcoming season and the future.
Now I wouldn’t go as far to say that Stevenson will be the only Patriots back to get work in the backfield. If Harris doesn’t get traded, the two definitely will have to split work. Stevenson should be slightly favored though, especially down the line considering Harris is on a contract year. If Harris does get traded, Stevenson will be the clear RB1, but will have to split work with Ty Montgomery and others on the team. However, those backs don’t pose the same threat as Harris, especially on the goal line.
Considering that Rhamondre Stevenson has an ADP of RB37 in the 9th round, I’m certainly willing to take a risk — especially with the other non-rookie RBs around him not posing the same upside or opportunity to make a jump. He’s completely undervalued in drafts right now and can pose some perfect RB upside you need to take a chance on right now.
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