Rhamondre Stevenson's Time to Shine is Coming in New England
By Ben Heisler
The New England Patriots may have a potential star on their hands in rookie running back Rhamondre Stevenson.
The question is, when will fans get another chance to see him?
New England shipped off Sony Michel to the Los Angeles Rams this offseason, cementing Damien Harris as their starting running back. The Patriots also have longtime veteran James White on the roster, who has thrived as their pass catching specialist over the last six-plus seasons in which he has played 14 games or more.
Stevenson made a major name for himself during the NFL preseason, rushing for a league leading 216 yards and five touchdowns, averaging a stunning 7.2 yards per carry.
The #NFLPreseason leader in rush yards and rush TDs?@patriots rookie RB Rhamondre Stevenson! ? @dreeday32 pic.twitter.com/kN3vOAkxCB
— NFL (@NFL) September 3, 2021
WynnBET Sportsbook has the 4th round rookie out of Oklahoma on the board for their rookie prop bet on combined rushing + receiving yards for the 2021 season, and with the hype that continues to come out, it wouldn't surprise me if his odds starts to drop.
Rookies: Most Rushing + Receiving Yards (Reg Season)
- Najee Harris: -250
- Trey Sermon: +350
- Javonte Williams: +750
- Michael Carter: +2000
- Rhamondre Stevenson: +2000
Stevenson is also listed at +4000 odds for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year at WynnBET.
Rhamondre Stevenson has caught the attention of the NFL...
Stevenson's terrific preseason opened up plenty of notable eyes across the league.
ESPN NFL analyst and commentator for Monday Night Football, Louis Riddick, was incredibly impressed with what the young running back put on film.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson’s preseason tape for the @patriots is just ridiculously good. Smooth, great feet, vision, strength, breakaway speed…and they got him in the 4th!!!! He obviously put in the work to be ready to hit the ground running in camp. Love to see it. @dreeday32
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) August 27, 2021
ESPN's Fantasy insider Field Yates also cast his ballot for Stevenson as the best player he saw this preseason.
My ballot has been officially cast: Rhamondre Stevenson is your 2021 NFL preseason MVP.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 29, 2021
Additionally, former Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins head coach, now FOX Sports analyst Dave Wannstedt shared in an interview on "Parkins and Spiegel" on 670 The Score in Chicago how much Bill Belichick has raved about his new back.
Dave Wannstedt dropped this little ? nugget on Rhamondre Stevenson on @ParkinsSpiegel yesterday:
— Ben Heisler (@bennyheis) September 3, 2021
"I talked to a coach who talked to Bill (Belichick). Bill is in love with him... That gave them (the ability) to move Sony Michel & get some draft picks."https://t.co/Hdme7qH1kF
Rhamondre Stevenson's numbers back up the eye test
The advanced metrics line up for Stevenson as well. Via NFL Next Gen Stats, Stevenson blew away the competition when it came to 'Rushing Yards Over Expected,' a metric describes as, "The difference between actual rushing yards and expected rushing yards on an individual play or series of plays.
Top 5⃣ leaders in rushing yards over expected from the 2021 preseason ?#Patriots rookie Rhamondre Stevenson led all running backs with +111 RYOE, nearly double the next closest player, his teammate, J.J. Taylor (+62). pic.twitter.com/XTYSKTmE5u
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) August 30, 2021
Damien Harris is still the starter, but he does have a history of injuries through his first few years in the league. The NFL is all about availability, and if Stevenson gets his chance, he may not let up the opportunity.
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