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New England Patriots: Top 3 draft selections, ideal NFL prospects to target

By Michael DeVito

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 31: Quarterback Trey Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison runs against the Butler Bulldogs during their game at Target Field on August 31, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 31: Quarterback Trey Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison runs against the Butler Bulldogs during their game at Target Field on August 31, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson Oklahoma Sooners. /

New England Patriots select a big back

A constant theme here has been that the New England Patriots lack a big back. That deficiency has cost them dearly over the past two seasons.

But let’s refresh memories. The Patriots in 2019 and 2020 (and really since the 2016 season) have not had a big back on the team whom they could count on in short-yardage situations.

They relied on their quarterbacks to do that. Do it too often, you risk injury and a lost season. It’s as simple as that.

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The current stable of backs is made up of small or tweener backs with varying levels of ability. Yet none of them can get a yard or two to extend a drive or a touchdown from in close to the goal line.

It’s definitely time to remedy that situation and the mid-rounds of this draft are the place to do so. The suggested picks above are flexible as to where they can be selected.

If the top quarterback they want is actually a second-rounder, they may take him there. That’s fine, but you’re not going to get a personal favorite like Lance there.

Yet, a big back could come anywhere from the second to the fourth rounds and still get quality. A possible (you never know) second or third round option who fits is the previously mentioned, Rhamondre Stevenson from Oklahoma,

Here’s what walterfootball.com had to say about Stevenson,

"Team sources say Stevenson impressed them at the Senior Bowl, as he is a heavy downhill back who also was a good route-runner, pass blocked well, and caught the ball cleanly out of the backfield. They think he could become a starting workhorse back in the pros."

Sound just right and Walter Football has him going in the third or fourth rounds. That would fit nicely. They list him at 232 pounds, the size required to be a big back.

The New England Patriots should take Stevenson.

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