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Valued and talented running backs in the NFL can provide significant upside to an organization's ultimate goal of winning, and also to fantasy managers looking to capture a championship.
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has always been known as someone who likes to spread out the ball, which usually translates to a more unified approach on offense, which in turn, limits the value of individual players. Currently, his number one back is unquestionably the uber-talented Rhamondre Stevenson.
The real question is who is the number two behind Stevenson? Is it someone already on the roster, or will someone be brought in to be his safety net? Let's take a closer look.
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Who Is The Backup RB To Rhamondre Stevenson In New England?
There is no argument that former Oklahoma Sooner and three-year NFL back Stevenson is on the verge of becoming a star. In 2022, the 25-year-old ran for 1,000 yards on the ground while also catching 69 passes for 421 yards and six total touchdowns.
He has clearly earned the trust of Belichick and the label of "lead dog" in New England. However, as we know, the number one position when it comes to attrition in the NFL is at running back. This means it's imperative to have someone waiting in the wings in case of an injury, or at the very least, to have another capable back to save the legs of the starter as the season progresses.
The Patriots have two leading candidates to fill that role, and both are internal. First, there is Pierre Strong Jr., a fourth-round draft choice by the Pats in 2022. Second up is another 2022 draft pick, Kevin Harris, a 22-year-old who is looking to make a name for himself in the NFL. Both Strong Jr. and Harris have yet to stand out early in their careers, and there are doubts as to whether either is ready to back up Stevenson in 2023. As a result, the team is actively looking to bring in external candidates to perhaps fill that immediate role.
What Is The Fantasy Football Value Of The Backup RB In New England?
Since Tom Brady left the team a few seasons ago, the Patriots have lacked serious "star power." In order to keep pace in a highly competitive AFC this season, they are going to need some recognizable names in uniform. Reports are flying fast and furious that the team is serious about signing all-world WR DeAndre Hopkins, and perhaps even former Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook.
Will the Pats sign Cook to be a high-quality backup to Stevenson? If brought in, would they even consider him a solid starting option at certain points of the season? Only time will tell, but if they do, he will immediately vault above both Harris and Strong Jr. in the pecking order.
Would any of these three ball carriers represent any type of fantasy value in 2023? Unless there is an injury to the horse known as Rhamondre, the short answer is no. There is certainly a chance Cook could provide some depth to fantasy rosters this fall if there is a timeshare, or if Stevenson gets hurt, and if that's the case, Harris and Strong Jr. will find themselves on the sidelines.
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