Although he is the No. 1 running back for the New England Patriots, is Rhamondre Stevenson’s production in fantasy football strong enough to consider him when it comes time to draft a running back? And will new teammate Antonio Gibson steal some of Stevenson’s production in fantasy?
Here’s the fantasy outlook for Stevenson entering the 2024 season.
Rhamondre Stevenson’s Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
Describing Stevenson’s 2023 as mixed would be the most optimistic way to put it.
On the one hand, he ranked just 27th in fantasy scoring among running backs (12.1 points per game). Over his first eight games last season, Stevenson’s fantasy production was a mere 10.6 PPG.
Then, over what turned out to be his final four games of the season, Stevenson averaged 15.2 fantasy PPG. That even includes his game vs. the Los Angeles Chargers, when he suffered a season-ending high ankle sprain and finished with just 2.9 fantasy points. Impressive, right?
Overall, Stevenson finished last season with 619 rushing yards in 12 games, sharing the backfield with veteran Ezekiel Elliott. Stevenson did have 38 receptions, but that was significantly down from 2022 when he caught 69 passes.
Among the positives is the fact that Stevenson has been productive as a runner when given a chance. He has averaged at least four yards a carry in each of his three seasons, although last season was his worst (4.0 yards per carry).
The Patriots have a Week 14 bye week.
Is Stevenson a Good Fantasy Pick?
Stevenson is RB24 in Pro Football Network’s Consensus Fantasy Football Rankings as of Aug. 20.
One of Stevenson’s strengths for fantasy managers is demonstrating the ability to catch passes out of the backfield. But, while Elliott has left to return to the Dallas Cowboys, the Patriots picked up former Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson.
Gibson, a former 1,000-yard rusher in Washington in 2021, was basically reduced to being on the field in passing situations since that season. The fact that he has been productive as a pass catcher — at least 40 receptions each of the last three seasons — has to give fantasy managers concern when it comes to Stevenson’s fantasy value.
If Gibson is going to be on the field in third down and other passing situations, then a big part of Stevenson’s game could be diminished as well.
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An improving offense would help both Stevenson and the Patriots. Last season, the Patriots tied the Carolina Panthers for the worst-scoring offense in the NFL, mustering just 13.9 points per game.
Stevenson has a chance to improve on last season’s fantasy numbers, and if he can stay healthy over the course of the season, he should be able to do just that.
But until the Patriots — and Stevenson — show that they have an offense that can move the ball and get it in the end zone, it doesn’t seem wise for fantasy managers to select Stevenson anywhere before the later rounds of a draft.