6 Patriots Who Could Be Cut Before Playing a Snap

5. Deshaun Fenwick, Running Back

New England plans to run the ball this season — and run it a lot.

With either Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye under center, they're not going to be airing it out often. Brissett is a capable back but he's not someone the offense should be centered around. Maye could develop into such a quarterback but that's not going to be the case in year one.

Thankfully, they have a back capable of putting the offense on his shoulders in Rhamondre Stevenson. The fourth-year back just signed a four-year extension worth $17 million and is stoked about the plans — and scheme — for 2024.

“It’s my favorite scheme, to be honest with you,” Stevenson said via Brian Hines of Pats Pulpit. “Outside zone, that’s what I like, and that’s what we’re running. Everybody else in our room seems to like it, as well, so we’ll see what we can do with it.”

Behind him, they have Antonio Gibson who is finally free of the Washington Commanders. He has a hold on the RB2 job. From there, JaMycal Hasty, Kevin Harris, Terrell Jennings, and Deshaun Fenwick will fight for the final spot.

There's no clear-cut favorite at the moment but it's hard to see Fenwick making the leap up to RB3. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder looks the part but never topped more than 553 yards in six seasons in the NCAA. He's on the older side as well (thanks to his long collegiate career) and that could lead to him being let go before the regular season.