Depth Chart: Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, James White, Ty Montgomery, Kevin Harris, Pierre Strong, J.J. Taylor
Player to Watch: Rhamondre Stevenson
Breakdown: The Patriots running backs have the chance to be the best position group on the team. The unit is deep and has a variety of components. Headlining the list are Damien Harris and Stevenson. Harris, a 2019 third-round draft pick, was the workhorse back for most of last year. His tough running style fit the Patriots offense perfectly and he totaled 929 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021. He lost two fumbles, one of those cost the Patriots their Week 1 game against Miami. He also scored the Patriots only touchdown in the most unique game of the year: the Monday Night wind game in Buffalo in which Mac Jones only attempted three passes. Harris will be the starter in 2021 and given that he is in a contract year and another year in the Patriots offense, he is set up to have a great season.
Stevenson is one of the most interesting players on the roster. He is currently behind Harris, but he has star potential. He ran for 606 yards and five touchdowns last season while also catching 14 passes for 123 yards in only 12 games. He was excellent after contact and showed good speed as well. He needs to improve his pass blocking, but it would be easy to envision him being a great back this season and taking over the lead role next year.
James White is one of the best pass-catching running backs in football, but he is coming off a major hip injury and may not be ready for the start of the season. Strong and Kevin Harris are both rookies that could get some playing time this season, especially Strong if White misses games. Strong was one of the most athletic running backs in the draft (5th in Relative Athletic Score) and averaged seven yards per carry each of the past two seasons. He is coming from the FCS, so it may be more of an adjustment than Kevin Harris, who is a big, bruising runner thatcould help in short yardage situations.
Rounding out the group is Montgomery and Taylor. Montgomery has played both wide receiver and running back in his career and could vie for the passing back/ gadget role. Taylor is a small, fast running back who is strong for his size.
Final Thoughts: The Patriots spent most of 2021 with only four running backs on their roster. They currently have eight, but I could see at least six worthy of making the team, including White who could miss some time. Stevenson could have a breakout year and him and Harris will be a great 1-2 punch. At least one of the rookies will make the team, perhaps both, with Strong having the most upside.