With the 2023 season in the books, MassLive will look at each position group on the Patriots, analyzing how the team performed in 2023 and where it might be heading in the future. Today we look at running backs.
Wide receivers: Rhamondre Stevenson, Ezekiel Elliott, Kevin Harris, JaMychal Hasty, Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Contract situation: After signing a one-year contract with the Patriots, Elliott heads into this offseason as an unrestricted free agent. The team has some depth at running back, but it’s a clear need upon closer inspection.
As of this point, the Patriots have no running backs under contract beyond 2024.
Stevenson heads into 2024 in the final year of his four-year rookie contract. He’ll have a cap hit of around $1.242 million and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
Harris, who was signed off the practice squad, is also signed through the 2024 season. He’ll be an exclusive rights free agent in 2025. Hasty is signed through this season as well. He has a non-guaranteed cap hit of $1.367 million.
The Patriots signed Vaughn to a futures contract. He has a cap hit of $985,000 for this season and is a free agent in 2025.
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2023 review: The Patriots plan for this season was to lean on Stevenson, who finished with 1,040 yards in 2022. The running back, however, got off to a slow start and then finished the season on the injured reserve.
Stevenson finished with 619 yards and led the Patriots with four rushing touchdowns in 12 games played. He also caught 38 passes for 238 yards. He started every game played for the team in 2023. Stevenson was coming on very strong before suffering a season-ending injury. He rushed for 87 yards, 88 yards, and a season-high 98 yards before the injury in Week 13.
The Patriots signed Elliott to supplement Stevenson. His season high was 80 rushing yards in Week 3. He started the final five games for the Patriots and was a steady presence in the passing game. The veteran finished the season leading the Patriots with 642 yards to go with three rushing touchdowns. Elliott also led the Patriots in receptions with 51 to go with 313 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
The only other running back to get a carry for the Patriots was Harris. The Patriots signed him to the 53-man roster after Stevenson went down. Harris ran for 65 yards in four games. He scored a touchdown against Kansas City and caught a 48-yard pass against the Bills.
The future: The running back position is a major need for the Patriots.
They head into this offseason with a clear starter in Stevenson. After that, the depth isn’t great and the long-term depth is non-existent.
The Patriots need a clear backup to Stevenson. Harris may develop into that, but the team would be wise to add a veteran in free agency. Retaining Elliott isn’t a bad idea. The team also needs to add a receiving back to the mix. Elliott could bring that dimension, but there are other options, too.
The Patriots could look at a free agent like Antonio Gibson. He had a down year in 2023, but still caught 48 passes and has 172 career receptions. The team could also look at a veteran such as Jerick McKinnon.
The team should add another back (or two) via the NFL Draft. With no one signed beyond this season, the Patriots need some depth here. More importantly, they need a potential replacement for Stevenson in the event he prices himself out in free agency in 2025.
Expect the Patriots to add at this position this offseason.
Part 1: Patriots quarterback review
Part 2: Patriots receiver review
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