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The fantasy football implications of Rhamondre Stevenson in the Patriots’ updated game plan
The comments about Stevenson's potential role could have consequences not only in New England but for fantasy managers looking for running backs outside the top rounds of the draft.
With a new coaching staff and offensive scheme being installed in New England, Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson could be on track for a more successful season than the one he experienced a year ago.
In 2023, Stevenson — seen in preseason as a potential feature back — struggled to gain traction amid greater offensive struggles that the Patriots dealt with. After also dealing with injuries that kept him out of five games, he finished the season not only with underwhelming statistics (down from 2022 in every major category) but second to veteran Ezekiel Elliott in total snaps (51 percent vs. 46 percent).
For fantasy football managers looking at the 26-year-old’s status heading into 2024, recent comments indicate that there could be an improvement in circumstances.
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One of the major issues that curtailed Stevenson in 2023 (both from a Patriots standpoint as well as fantasy) was the lack of big plays. He managed more than 10 yards on a carry only 10 times in 2023, less than half of career average over the two prior seasons.
But in 2024, New England is committing to run more wide zone-based running scheme. This could be a boost for Stevenson, who agreed to a four-year contract extension in June and is once again expected to get a big role (especially with Elliott’s free agent exit).
“[Rhamondre’s] a pure runner. It doesn’t matter if we’re doing gap schemes, tight zone, pin-pull, wide zones, he has a good feel for setting up blocks,” first year Patriots running backs coach Taylor Embree told reporters, per Bernd Buchmasser of Pats Pulpit. “I think it’s crazy, because as we go you start to learn the run schemes and where guys are going, and if we have leverage on a ‘backer or something, he’s really starting to feel that. So, wide zone for him is going to be awesome.”
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Embree contrasted the approach with 2023.
“Last year, they ran a lot of duo and tight zone stuff to just get bodies on bodies, and he was able to make some stuff. But these wide zones will open up explosives for him,” said the New England assistant. “We’ve seen a few in our joint practice and against our defense this year. So, I think it’s something he’s going to benefit from a lot. And I think he’ll get more explosives through the wide zone.”
From a fantasy standpoint, it’s easy to see the appeal. Stevenson proved he could be a dynamic player both out of the backfield and as a receiver, notching a 1,000-yard season in 2022 while averaging five yards per carry. He also caught 69 passes for 421 receiving yards.
A return to anything close to those numbers would make him a possible fantasy value pick.
Currently, Stevenson is being drafted as a fifth or sixth round pick in most 12-team leagues.
“We’re getting better at it. The holes are there,” Stevenson said on Thursday. “Just staying on our tracks. Staying on the linemen; for them, staying on their tracks and things like that. But I think it’s coming along well.”
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Of course, as was the case in 2023, larger circumstances could hinder Stevenson. As excited as Embree and other New England coaches might be at this point in time with a new scheme, it still has to be executed with a degree of precision that the current Patriots offensive line may not be able to achieve.
New England will have one last chance to get some experience in game situations during the final preseason matchup against Washington on Sunday (kickoff at 8 pm), and will then make final preparations prior to the immediate test of facing the Bengals in Week 1 on the road in Cincinnati on Sept. 8.
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