If you like young, versatile, hard-working, tough-minded talent at the running back position then you love what the Patriots have assembled.
Between Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, the 2021 Patriots got 335 carries for 1,535 yards (4.6 average) and 20 touchdowns. The best back in the league, Indy’s Jonathan Taylor carried 332 times for 1,811 and 18 TDs.
Curran's position evaluations: QB | OL | WR | TE
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Glass half-empty, you can say it took two Patriots backs to almost approach the work of one Colt. But glass half-full? There’s only one ball. Stevenson and Harris absorbed significantly less individual punishment than Taylor. And -- when it comes time for Taylor to re-sign -- his contract will likely check in around $50M and average more than $12M per year. Harris and Stevenson combined may not cost the Patriots half as much.
Overall in 2021, Patriots running backs (Harris, Stevenson, James White, Brandon Bolden and J.J. Taylor) ran 364 times for 1,836 yards and 24 touchdowns. They also caught 89 passes for 762 yards and two scores. That production -- for which the offensive line and tight ends also deserve credit -- made it possible for Mac Jones to have a highly-competent rookie season because it wasn’t all on Jones’ shoulders.But there are four key issues to watch at the position in 2022. The departure of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who was a playcalling maestro; the possible departure of running backs coach Ivan Fears; uncertainty as to who the offensive line coach will be with the departure of Carmen Bricillo; and who mans the third-down back position.
Bright spots
In addition to his on-field production (202 carries, 929 yards and 15 TDs, 18 catches for 132), Harris has emerged as one of the Patriots' best young leaders. He’s an incredibly tough runner who gets his shoulders squared early, runs with excellent lean and hits the line at full speed.
New England Patriots
Stevenson (133 carries, 606 yards and 5 TDs with 14 catches for 123) was a rare find as a rookie running back contributor who made Sony Michel expendable. His style is similar to Harris’ but he’s got a little bit more beef and power (which is saying something because Harris has plenty) and softer hands. He was a home run fourth-round pick from Oklahoma.
The most important contribution from the backs in 2021, though, may have come from Brandon Bolden after the team lost James White. It’s hard to overstate the importance of White to the Patriots as a leader. And it’s hard to overstate the importance of the third-down back when it comes to production in the running and passing game and in blitz pickup. Bolden had a tremendous year filling in with 44 carries for 226 yards and a touchdown on the ground and another 405 yards and two touchdowns on 41 catches.
The disappointments
Regrets. There were a few. An early-season spate of fumbles (Harris had two and Stevenson had one) was an issue. And the hip injury for White was a blow and casts a bit of uncertainty going forward for him. Meanwhile, Taylor didn’t get much run in his second season after showing glimpses of explosiveness, so he’s still a bit of an X-factor going forward. But that stuff is mostly minor in the grand scheme.
Contract status
Harris, 25, is entering the final year of his deal and makes just $965K in base and carries a $1.2M cap hit. He’d be a good candidate to approach with an extension quickly after the 2022 season.
Stevenson is going into his second season. He’ll make $825K this year and carries a $1M cap hit. He’s 24 and won’t be up until after the 2024 season.
White will be a free agent after coming back to the Patriots on a one-year deal worth $2.5M. Bolden is also a free agent. Taylor is entering the final year of his rookie deal. In all, there are few position groups in the league that give more bang for their buck than the Patriots running backs.
Roster locks for 2022
Harris and Stevenson are obvious locks. Taylor also comes back on his $895K salary as insurance for White or Bolden if neither returns. But expect the Patriots to make sure one of those two is on the team.
Offseason priority (scale 1-5): 2
Getting the coaching and third-down back roles sorted are at the top of the to-do list.