Breaking down the New England Patriots backfield

Put bluntly, the New England Patriots were a disaster offensively in 2023. With arguably the worst quarterback situation in the NFL, the team struggled to sustain drives, finished 30th in total yards, and tied for last in points. The result was a complete overhaul of the coaching staff and quarterback room, with offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien replaced by Alex Van Pelt (most recently of the Cleveland Browns), and Mac Jones (Jacksonville Jaguars) swapped out for Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye.

A return to competence would go a long way in breathing life back into the rushing attack after the Pats finished 26th on the ground (95.7 yards per game). Rhamondre Stevenson is back to once again lead the backfield, but Ezekiel Elliott returned to the Dallas Cowboys after one season in Foxborough. His spot on the depth chart now belongs to RB Antonio Gibson, who was signed to a three-year contract after spending his first four seasons with the Washington Commanders.

With the Pats set to open starting Brissett, a known game manager, as QB1, and then eventually move Maye, the third overall pick, into the role, the ground game figures to be featured. So, what does that mean for fantasy owners?

Rhamondre Stevenson

Stevenson began his career as a complement to RB Damien Harris, but he surpassed him in 2022 and was the clear lead back last year before an ankle injury ended his season on Dec. 3. Projected across a full 17 games, he was on pace for 1,214 total yards and 5.7 TDs — that was slightly off what he did the previous year (1,461 total yards, six TDs) but still similar production.

Despite that slippage, the team handed Stevenson a lucrative extension, signaling they believe he can stay healthy and handle a full-time load. He’s proven he can be a volume receiver out of the backfield, and a 4.5 yards-per-carry average across nearly 500 carries is a solid number.

The Oklahoma alum has had some issues with ball security (seven career fumbles), and he hasn’t been as productive as you’d like near the goal line, but Stevenson should be a central figure in New England’s offense.

Antonio Gibson

Gibson looked like an up-and-comer during his first two seasons in the league, averaging 1,187 total yards and 10.5 touchdowns for Washington. He fell out of favor the past two years, however, with his numbers falling to 899 yards and five TDs in 2022, and then 654 yards and a tro of scores in 2023. A receiver during his collegiate days, Gibson was converted into a running back as a rookie. His pass-catching numbers did tick up each year as he moved into more of a specialty role, but the Commanders never prioritized getting him the ball in the passing game.

He’s a different player than Elliott, the team’s No. 2 back a year ago, and he should provide Van Pelt with versatility from that spot. Both backs have a similar build and are capable receivers out of the backfield. Perhaps a change of scenery will reinvigorate Gibson, allowing him to return to the form he showed early in his NFL career.

Kevin Harris and JaMycal Hasty

While the top two spots are set, barring injury, there will be a battle for RB3. The leading candidates are Hasty, who had a few moments during stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars but has never found a sustained role, and Harris, a sixth-round pick back in 2022 that has seen limited action in two seasons with the club. Neither warrants any attention until they prove otherwise.

Fantasy football outlook

Even with the Patriots among the NFL’s worst offensively in 2023, Stevenson still found a way to deliver respectable numbers for fantasy owners. While this year’s group doesn’t look particularly scary, the tandem of Brissett/Maye and Van Pelt should be a notch above what we saw last year. Look for Stevenson to be a focal point of the offense, giving him borderline top-20 appeal. If you could land him as your RB3 you’d be in a good spot to have Stevenson exceed expectations.

While the Commanders had a ton of talent at receiver, the Patriots do not, and that could be a boon for Gibson, who can contribute as a runner or pass catcher. He’s also familiar with Brissett. The fact that Gibson disappointed fantasy owners the past two years could deflate his value, but he deserves a look as your RB4.