The New England Patriots will enter the 2025 NFL Draft with nine picks in their arsenal, and it’s being rumored that one of the selections will be for a pass-catching running back.
Head coach Mike Vrabel said the team is interested in “good, young runners” when asked last week by the media if it’s a position worth targeting in the draft:
“I think so. Having a good, young runner is potentially something we would like to do.”
The running back room is led by Rhamondre Stevenson, who will be in his fifth season with the team, and veteran Antonio Gibson, in his second in New England. Stevenson and Gibson proved to be a solid tandem, so much so, they were paid well for it.
Stevenson signed a four-year rookie extension worth $36 million, keeping him in New England until 2028. Gibson signed a three-year deal worth $11.25 million through 2026.
Although Stevenson struggled with fumbling last year, his seven fumbles were all as a runner out of the backfield and not as a receiver. It’s not great that he can’t hang on to the ball through the pocket, but it’s something that can be fixed.
Rhamondre Stevenson Already Proved to Be an Elite Pass-Catching RB
It's often forgotten about, but Stevenson led the Patriots in receiving during his second season in 2022 with 69 receptions for 421 yards and had one touchdown on 88 targets.
Last year, Stevenson was targeted 41 times with 33 receptions for 168 receiving yards. He totaled 237 yards after catch, averaging 7.2 yards after catch per reception, 11.0 receptions per broken tackle, and finished with a passer rating when targeted at 91.9.
In his four-year career, Stevenson has a catch rate percentage of 77.8 percent. It totals 154 receptions on 198 targets for 950 yards.
Stevenson needs to work on hanging on to the ball, that is not a secret and it’s something he should be actively doing this offseason, but to say the Patriots need a pass-catching running back seems like a bit of a reach when there are plenty of other positional holes to fill.
The offensive line didn’t do a good enough job of setting up their runners for success. In fact, they ranked last in running back yards before contact at 0.58 per rush and run block win rate, according to Pro Football Network.
Vrabel also shares a similar stance on the offensive line needing to do a better job of protecting the ball carrier, along with the other players on the field.
"People talk about Rhamondre and putting the ball on the ground, and he knows that. We’ll help him there, and also we’re going to make sure the 10 players know their job is to protect the guy with the ball as well."
It’s also worth mentioning that Stevenson will be reuniting with Josh McDaniels, the first offensive coordinator of his NFL career when he was drafted in 2021. Stevenson finished that season with 729 scrimmage yards on 147 touches at 5.0 yards per touch.
After working with McDaniels, Stevenson followed up his rookie year by rushing for over 1,000 yards and scored five touchdowns while also leading the team in receptions with 69.
For what it’s worth, McDaniels-led offenses always feature a receiving back out of the backfield that’ll impact the course of the game: Kevin Faulk in 2004, Danny Woodhead and Shane Vereen in 2012, Dion Lewis and James White in 2015, and Rex Burkhead in 2017.
That said, Stevenson is poised for another breakout year with McDaniels calling the plays in a smooth and organized offense.
I’m not saying the Patriots shouldn’t draft a running back, but it shouldn’t be perceived as a position of need when there are plenty of other positions to fill or upgrade.