Rhamondre Stevenson Reaches Four-Year Extension With Patriots
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson agreed to a four-year, $36 million contract extension on Thursday, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The deal includes $17 million guaranteed. While the team can get out of the deal early and less than half of it is guaranteed, this is still a sign that the organization views him as the clear leadback. The 26-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022, racking up over 1,400 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns in 17 games. He was limited to just 12 games and 857 yards in 2023, but he should be healthy heading into his fourth pro season. While Antonio Gibson might get work behind him in the receiving game, both running backs could see plenty of targets given the weak group of pass-catchers Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett have to work with. Stevenson is likely an underpriced RB2 for 2024.
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson told reporters on Monday he thinks he's "pretty close" to signing a contract extension with the organization. This could be good news for dynasty fantasy managers with the 26-year-old on their rosters, especially after a down year in 2023. The former fourth-round pick entered last year's campaign as the clear starting running back for the first time in his career, but he was limited to just 12 games due to injury. Overall, he tallied 156 rushes for 619 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 38 receptions (51 targets) for 238 yards. If New England re-signs him before Week 1, it'll likely mean he's further ahead of Antonio Gibson on the depth chart than many realize. Gibson, who has shown promise in his career but has failed to produce over the last few seasons, could eat into his receiving workload, but Stevenson remains the RB1 as things stand. The New England offense will likely be one of the worst units in the NFL, so his upside is likely capped in 2024.
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson said he wants to be the team's featured back in 2024 as he gets set to enter the final year of his rookie deal. In his third year in the NFL, a high-ankle sprain limited the 25-year-old to just 12 games. In 156 rushing attempts, he averaged a career-low 4.0 yards per carry for 619 yards and four touchdowns, adding 38 receptions on 51 targets for 238 yards through the air. He was essentially New England's lead back before getting hurt, albeit in an offense that was among the worst in the league because of quarterback issues. Stevenson should be able to bounce back with better health in 2024 after accumulating 1,400 scrimmage yards in 2022, but what the Patriots do at QB will have a big effect on his fantasy upside.
The New England Patriots placed running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday to make room for cornerback Marco Wilson, according to a source. Stevenson missed practice on Wednesday, hasn't played the last three games due to an ankle sprain and will now miss the final two regular season games for the Patriots. The 25-year-old third-year back was limited by New England's poor offense in 2023, but he still carried plenty of fantasy appeal as the team's lead back when he was healthy. Stevenson finishes 2023 with 156 carries for 619 yards (career-low 4.0 yards per carry) and four rushing touchdowns, adding 38 receptions for 238 yards through the air in 12 games played. Ezekiel Elliott will remain a volume-based, touchdown-dependent RB3/flex as the Pats' primary back in the last two games of the season.
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) remains sidelined at practice on Wednesday. Stevenson is dealing with an ankle sprain and has not played in any of the team's last three games. A missed practice to kick off the week isn't a good sign, but Stevenson still has two more days to get back on the field. As things stand now, though, it's looking like Ezekiel Elliott will continue on as New England's primary running back for a Week 17 contest against the Bills in Buffalo this Sunday. Zeke hasn't been very efficient on the ground in his last three starts -- he's averaging 2.67 yards per attempt on 45 carries -- but he's salvaged his fantasy value with more volume on 21 receptions (25 targets) for an additional 126 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) has been ruled out for the upcoming Week 16 matchup against the Denver Broncos. As expected, Stevenson will miss this game after sitting out practice all week. He continues to work his way back from a high-ankle sprain that he suffered in Week 13. Given where the Patriots sit in the standings, it's unclear if Stevenson will play again this season. Ezekiel Elliott should remain the lead back and has seen a heavy workload during time as the starter. He should rank as a RB2 for this upcoming matchup versus Denver.
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) remained absent once again during Thursday's practice session. This isn't too surprising, given the Patriots said back in Week 13 that Stevenson would miss several weeks. The Pats have nothing to play for besides good draft positioning, so they are highly unlikely to be in any rush to bring Stevenson back. His absence would mean that Ezekiel Elliott would continue to start in the backfield. He's not the same player he used to be, but Elliott is still a possible RB2 against the shaky Denver Broncos run defense in Week 16.
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) is missing a second consecutive day of practice leading up to their Sunday night game against the Denver Broncos. Stevenson suffered an ankle sprain in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers and has missed the following two games. A second DNP in a row does not offer much hope that fantasy managers will see him back in Week 16. Should Stevenson sit out his third consecutive game, Ezekiel Elliott will be the Patriots' top option out of the backfield. Elliott was the top-scoring running back in Week 14, accumulating 140 scrimmage yards and a score. He only logged 46 yards on 16 touches in Week 15, making him a volatile option against a Denver Broncos in Week 16.
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) remained absent from practice to kick off preparations on Wednesday for a Week 16 Sunday night battle against the Denver Broncos. Stevenson sprained his ankle on Dec. 3 and hasn't practiced or played since. A DNP to begin the practice week isn't a great sign that he'll be able to return this weekend, but he still has two more days to get back on the practice field. As of right now, fantasy managers shouldn't expect to have the 25-year-old available for the fantasy semifinals in most leagues. Ezekiel Elliott has served as New England's primary RB the last two games with Stevenson out, so that should continue if Stevenson misses a third straight game. Zeke has underwhelmed on the ground with 33 carries for 93 yards (2.82 yards per carry) in the last two games, but he has salvaged things with 12 receptions for 93 yards and a score.
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) remained absent from practice on Friday and has officially been ruled out for Week 15 versus the Kansas City Chiefs. While this is tough news for managers in the fantasy playoffs, it wasn't unexpected. The workhorse back continues to battle a high-ankle sprain, which is usually a multi-week injury. Until he can return, Ezekiel Elliott will operate as the Patriots' lead back. He looked great as a dual-purpose option against the Steelers last week but will face a tougher test in the heavily favored Chiefs. The veteran is a low-end fantasy RB2.
