New England Patriots: 5 rookies who will make headlines in 2021
The New England Patriots have an interesting rookie class heading into the 2021 NFL season.
Addressing some major positional needs, Bill Belichick used his first-round pick to draft Alabama star quarterback Mac Jones, who fell to him at No. 15.
While drafting the next guy was an absolute necessity, it is what Belichick did with his remaining picks that really told the story of the 2021 NFL draft class.
In fact, the Patriots coach went mostly defensive by drafting players with interesting upside and players who will have a chance to turn some heads in their first season in the NFL.
Here are five Patriots rookies who will make headlines in 2021 in some fashion.
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5. New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson will take advantage of his opportunity
There is one thing that already stands out about New England Patriots fifth-round pick Rhamondre Stevenson. He is a humble football player.
The emphasis there is football player as Belichick loves players who will do whatever is necessary to help the team win.
At 6-foot, 246 pounds, the Oklahoma product is the power running back the Patriots have been looking for since the days of LaGarrette Blount. That power back who will be tough to bring down in short yardage situations and can pull away from defenders once he gets into the second level.
Due to those attributes, Stevenson has been compared to Blount, a resemblance that flattered him, but he knows as a rookie he hasn’t done anything in the NFL yet to draw such a comparison.
"“I’m very familiar with LeGarrette Blount,” Stevenson told reporters, as transcribed by Boston.com. “He’s one of my favorite players to ever play the position, but I don’t think I’m really at that level yet. I’m still a rookie. I haven’t played any games in the NFL.”"
Given the recent history of rookie running backs over the past few seasons, it’s quite possible Stevenson won’t get a chance to shine in the NFL until late season as he will have to earn playing time behind Damien Harris and Sony Michel.
The good thing for Stevenson, which may end up being great for the team is that those two players ahead of him have injury concerns, therefore he could get a chance to show off his versatility as a running back sooner rather than later.
Once he does, it is hard not to predict Stevenson becoming an instant fan favorite and a player who will make headlines in the NFL because his emergence may spell the end of Michel in New England.