“New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson is shaping up as one of the premier bounce-back candidates in fantasy football. Stevenson enters 2025 with a fresh slate — and intriguing upside for fantasy managers.
Stevenson’s 2024 season started off promisingly. With a new coaching staff in Foxborough, he was the clear focal point of the offense through the first two weeks, racking up 201 yards and two touchdowns on 46 carries. But trouble quickly found him. Four fumbles in four weeks landed him briefly in the doghouse, and a foot sprain sidelined him in Week 6. Even after returning, it took time to regain his form; he averaged fewer than 4.0 yards per carry in each of his first six games back.
Still, Stevenson showed flashes of his old self in December, rattling off three straight games with 73-94 rushing yards. Yet inconsistency and more ball security issues had the Patriots leaning on Antonio Gibson down the stretch, ultimately benching Stevenson in Week 18. It’s important to note, though, that fumbles aren’t typically a year-to-year issue for running backs — Stevenson had no fumbling woes in his first three NFL seasons. Fantasy managers have good reason to believe last season’s issues were more fluke than trend.
https://x.com/CoachspeakIndex/status/1924883843573809470
New England Patriots 7.5 Win Total Impact
As for the broader impact, the New England Patriots odds to surpass their projected win total of 7.5 games this season are closely tied to Stevenson’s resurgence. If he can recapture his early-down dominance, it eases pressure on the passing game and opens up Josh McDaniels’ offense. I believe this will be the case and should I be able to get New England at 6.5 or 7, will look to hammer an OVER wager.
Revised New England Patriots Ground Attack
The Patriots’ ground attack will have new wrinkles this fall. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson, a pass-catching back out of Ohio State, is poised to handle most of the third-down work. Historically, McDaniels has leaned on committees, with only one season across his lengthy NFL resume where a lead runner also dominated third-down snaps (that was 2011 with Steven Jackson). The more realistic expectation for Stevenson is a two-back split with Henderson.
Even with fewer projected receptions, Stevenson’s fantasy potential is significant. He excels when his blocking holds up. In fact, his 8.0 yards per carry on perfectly blocked runs vs. 3.1 on non-perfectly blocked runs highlights a large gap. That’s not entirely a knock; it simply underscores how vital line play is to unlocking his ceiling. Encouragingly, the Patriots aggressively addressed this need by drafting Will Campbell fourth overall. They also signed veterans like Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury. Even modest improvements could pay huge dividends for Stevenson’s efficiency.
https://x.com/LosTalksPats/status/1938666826709500269
Key Fantasy Football Takeaways
Fantasy managers should keep one key takeaway in mind: Stevenson’s 2025 value will likely be game-script dependent. He’ll be a must-start in matchups where New England is favored and can stick to a ground-heavy plan. In games where the Patriots may be chasing points, his reduced receiving workload could limit his weekly floor.
Ultimately, Stevenson’s unique blend of power and elusiveness still makes him an enticing mid-round fantasy target. With the Patriots aiming to climb past that 7.5-wins, they will need their lead back to bounce back. Smart fantasy managers will recognize this and tag along for the ride.
Thank you for reading my Rhamondre Stevenson New England Patriots article. You can read more of my sports betting content on my IDP+ Author page. After that, feel free to connect with me on Twitter @MarcSaulino and follow @IDP_Plus to stay informed about everything NFL-relevant by becoming a member.
