When thinking of the all-time great Patriots running backs, some of the strong runners from the dynasty years like Kevin Faulk, Corey Dillon and LeGarrette Blount may come to mind. Or even the franchise’s all-time leading rusher, Sam Cunningham. However, Rhamondre Stevenson is making an underrated bid to be considered one of the best backs the team has ever had.
Stevenson is one of the Patriots’ longest-tenured active players. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Stevenson entered his rookie season alongside first-round pick Mac Jones, but his impact was limited as the No. 2 back behind Damien Harris.
Easing Stevenson in as a Receiver
Behind Jones’ stellar rookie season and Harris’ 15 rushing touchdowns, the Patriots finished 10-7 and made an unlikely playoff run. Stevenson contributed sparingly, recording 606 yards and five touchdowns, but proved to be a capable receiver, unlike Harris.
His receiving upside really developed once he reached the NFL. In college, he only had 28 receptions in his two seasons at Oklahoma. Across his six seasons in the NFL, Stevenson has 1,358 receiving yards, which puts him 20th among active RBs.
In a league that has featured excellent backfield receivers like Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara and Austin Ekeler in years past, ranking in the top 20 is insanely impressive. Especially considering he’s beginning just his sixth season.
Stevenson’s three-down upside was undeniable after his rookie year. By year two, he emerged as clearly the more talented all-around RB on the roster. In 17 games, Stevenson recorded what was and still is his best season to date. 1,461 scrimmage yards and six total touchdowns. As bright of a season as the sophomore had, an issue developed that has stuck with Stevenson to this day: fumbling the football.
Fumbling Woes
Stevenson fumbled four times during his breakout season, the second-highest mark of his career, only behind his seven in 2024. Securing the football is one of his few weaknesses as an RB. It’s easily the trait that draws the most ire from Patriots fans.
With the exception of his fumbling woes, though, Stevenson is about as complete a RB you’ll see in the NFL today, a surprisingly rare feat in a league which has fully implemented the RB-by-committee approach.
In fact, Stevenson has been the feature RB every year of his career since his sophomore breakout. Now, at age 28, he’s competing with second-round youngster TreVeyon Henderson for snaps.
Henderson is a home-run threat every time he touches the football. Otherwise, he cannot do the little things between the numbers that Stevenson can. This means the latter will likely continue to play a role in the offense until his four-year contract expires in 2028.
Stevenson was also one of the lone bright spots during the Patriots’ 29-13 Super Bowl loss to the Seahawks last season, catching a late touchdown from Drake Maye to boost the final score.
Stevenson in the Record Books
If Stevenson can continue producing the way he has been throughout his career, which is around a 600-yard rusher with six touchdowns, he could vault himself into third all-time in rushing yards and touchdowns for the franchise.
That mark would make him the highest modern RB on the list, as Cunningham played in the 1970s and early 1980s, and second-place Jim Nance in the 1960s and 1970s.
Sure, he may not have the peak of other Patriots RBs like Dillon and Curtis Martin. His 2022 season will likely be his best as he approaches 30. But by the time his tenure in New England comes to a close, he will have etched his name in history as one of their all-time greatest rushers, and nobody seems ready to admit it.
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