Patriots: Why Rhamondre Stevenson is a player worth rooting for

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My favorite New England Patriots draft pick this year is Rhamondre Stevenson. Yet, that comes with a huge asterisk or caveat since Mac Jones won’t likely play much in 2021.

That asterisk is no surprise on these pages. The more one sees of Jones the more one will probably like that pick a lot. A more in-depth analysis of Jones is also on the way.

That would be the case unless of course, you don’t like (or worse) the Patriots in which case this pick will take you to the refrigerator for another beer(s). You’ll need it (them). Jones is bad news for NFL opponents, very bad news.

So, assuming it is indeed the case that Jones will have what some are terming a redshirt season in Foxborough in 2021 (who really knows?), then Stevenson is clearly the man.

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That notwithstanding, it stills intrigues this writer that the opportunity to implement a New Orleans Brees/Hill-type formation will be there for the asking for the Patriots.

Rhamondre Stevenson, my favorite New England Patriots draft pick

With the Jones caveat out of the way, let’s focus on Stevenson. The history here in these pages has been to clamor for a big back for some time.

One of the all-time New England Patriots best, LeGarrette Blount (a favorite player) was about a big as they come. He was also really good as in 18 touchdowns good in 2016.

Before last year’s draft, a list of four possibilities as big backs was offered herein. One of those backs was a big missed opportunity. That would be the super rookie for the Colts, Jonathan Taylor.

So the Patriots last season punted on a big back again, but this year things have changed. They’ve changed a lot in personnel. Why?

For one, they logged a poor 7-9 record and missed the playoffs for the first time in forever.

Then, owner Bob Kraft uncharacteristically weighed in not only on the draft generally (he wasn’t happy with recent results), but also in making it crystal clear he wanted a new cornerstone quarterback. The sheriff had spoken.

It was “done and dusted” as they say as he got his young quarterback in Mac Jones. He also just may have received a top overall draft as well. We’ll see. But this was neither a usual free agency period (uncharacteristically massive spending spree) nor draft.

There were really no “out-in-left-field” draft picks as was usual in the past. The guys they took were legitimate players. No shocking “who’s he?” types at all.

One of those picks was Rhamondre Stevenson. There were arguably better big backs in the draft like the terrific Najee Harris from Alabama and Javonte Williams of North Carolina.

But you weren’t getting them in the fourth round as they did Stevenson. In addition, he’s likely bigger than both and that’s a plus. They needed a bruiser first and foremost. They got him.

Frankly, it was a shocking turn of events. Finally, after missing the contributions of a Blount-type since 2016, they at least made a legitimate attempt at getting a big back to fill the void.

That effort, in itself, was a positive sign of change in New England. Thank you, Mr. Kraft.

The team recognized it had a real need and they moved to fill it and at a decent place in the draft. That’s a good way of doing draft business and they finally did it. Give credit where credit is due.

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