Part 2 in a series on free agency, which begins March 10 at Noon. Today's focus is on running back.
It didn't matter who you talked to last off-season; whenever Rhamondre Stevenson's name came up, the Patriots front office and coaching stall said the same thing: "He's one of the better backs in the league."
I nodded in agreement. Stevenson's physical style and ability as a pass catcher (much improved in 2023-24) made his eventual contract extension acceptable, especially as you surveyed the rest of the team's offensive landscape. Heading into this past season, the former University of Oklahoma star was - to me - the no doubt best skill position player the Pats had (we didn't know what Drake Maye was just yet).
But - and stop me if you've heard this before about the '24-25 team - Stevenson didn't come close to living up to the billing. He managed to eke out 801 yards, averaging just 3.9 yards per carry, and had a 1:1 TD-to-fumble ratio (7 for and 7 against). Despite saying he was excited about the scheme change, it became apparent that the wide zone stuff OC Alex Van Pelt wanted to utilize wasn't in Stevenson's wheelhouse. In fact, in his best game - the season opener in Cincinnati (125 yards) - the running back went to Van Pelt and said keep running duo and power.
To Stevenson's credit, he owned his struggles, willing to stand in front of his locker weekly and answer the same questions. But considering his four-year extension kicks in this season, he has to be better under new OC Josh McDaniels.
His primary backup, Antonio Gibson, had a very strong second half of the season, but his usage was curious. He was never consistently utilized as a pass catcher, an incredible oddity considering he played wideout in college. But there's no doubt the wide zone stuff played into Gibson's skillset, and at 225ish pounds, he could still finish with power.
Beyond that, the Pats didn't have anything noteworthy. JaMychal Hasty is a change of pace back, but after a terrific training camp, he didn't distinguish himself in any facet and is a free agent.
Signed for 2025:
Stevenson (2025 cap hit $5.3 million/signing bonus $1.6 mil/700K roster bonus/$250K workout bonus/dead cap $6 mil)
Gibson (2025 cap hit $4.5/signing bonus $1 mil/$510k roster bonus/$140K workout bonus/dead cap $3.17 mil)
Terrell Jennings (2025 cap hit $960K/$0 dead cap)
I NEED A JAMES WHITE, STAT
1. Ty Johnson: This is a no-brainer to me. We know McDaniels loves to incorporate third-down backs into the offensive equation. Johnson is the best one available in free agency. Not only that, but you'd be stealing him from Buffalo, the team that now dominates the AFC East. And considering the Bills' star runner, James Cook, says he wants $15 million per year, you can add an extra million to Johnson's offer to complicate things further. Yes, Johnson only had 18 catches, but he averaged over 15 yards per reception and could have been more of a factor had OC Joe Brady wanted (he also low-key ignored the tight end position this year). Josh Allen and several teammates call him the best third-down back in football. I don't know that I'd go that far, but he'd give the Pats an asset they don't currently have.
Spotrac estimates a 2-year deal worth $5.385 million.
2. Ameer Abdullah: He finally found a home in Las Vegas, and it was McDaniels who brought him there. Abdullah has put up better numbers as a pass catcher than Johnson, including 40 receptions this past season (he had 25 and 19 the two years prior), and his shiftiness, even at age 31 (he turns 32 in June), is notable. At 5'9", he can get lost in a crowd but has never been considered much of a running threat (Johnson is better between the tackles).
Spotrac estimates Abdullah gets $1.8 million for one year.
IF GIBSON GOES...
1. Javonte Williams: He was a force in his rookie year, a home run hitter with power to match (he weighs 220 lbs). The Broncos leaned on him heavily, right up until the point he blew out his knee. It's been a long road back - he barely played in 2022 - but Williams showed some signs of his old self this past season. He will never be the guy he was, but the former UNC star can handle a high volume should something happen to Stevenson, or should he continue to not look like the guy they signed to that extension. Williams turns 25 in April.
Spotrac estimates a three-year deal for $20 million. I don't see it getting remotely that high.
2. J.K. Dobbins: He was awesome for the Chargers before injuries struck and is a hard man to tackle. If the Pats were to consider this route, he would push Stevenson for the top job. I'm not sure if Mike Vrabel will want that - he had no problem pulling the Herb Brooks 'Again' when he had Derrick Henry in the backfield - but it would undoubtedly give the offense a high-end option. I mentioned injuries because that's been a massive part of Dobbins' story. His knee exploded in 2021, then had a clean-up procedure on the same knee in 2022 that cost him six games. In '23, Dobbins blew out his Achilles in week one, then missed a handful of games this past season with a sprain to his other knee.
PFF estimates a 2-year, $7 million dollar contract, including $4 million guaranteed. Spotrac has it at 2/8.1 million.
WHAT THE HELL. WHY NOT?
1. Nick Chubb: He, too, had a catastrophic knee injury, and though he returned last season, he didn't have the same explosion. Could Chubb, at age 29, rediscover it another year removed from the injury? Vrabel was in Cleveland this past season and saw the work this kid put in (and he works like few others). He may have an inkling of how this might go.
PFF estimates a one-year contract for $3 million, with $1.25 guaranteed. Spotrac sees it as 1/3.3 million.