This Patriots Running Back is a Good Fit for Giants

We continue our "steal-a-player" series with our pick from the New England Patriots.

Author:
Quinn Slaven
Publish date:
Jul 22, 2023 2:00 PM EDT

In this story:

As we count down to training camp, the Giants Country editorial team went through the rosters of each of the Giants' 2023 regular-season opponents and selected a player that, if the Giants could acquire for the upcoming season, they absolutely should.

Who did we pick from each team? Stay tuned--and yes, for the NFC East teams, we picked two players since the Giants play them twice.

Nov 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A New England Patriots helmet sits idle before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium. — Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Rhamondre Stevenson, Running Back

Height: 6-foot | Weight: 227 lbs.
College: Oklahoma | Exp: 2 years
Career Stats: 29 games, 343 attempts, 1,646 yards, 10 touchdowns

The New York Giants offensive scheme relies heavily on the running game, namely all-pro running back Saquon Barkley. From controlling the clock, setting up play-action, and turning check-down passes into big gains, Barkley’s versatility is central to an otherwise developing unit.

In 2022, Barkley carried the ball 295 times, fourth most in the NFL, accounting for nearly 60 percent of New York’s rushing attack. Unfortunately, Barkley has struggled to remain healthy throughout his NFL career. In five seasons, Barkley has suffered a high-ankle sprain, ACL tear, MCL strain, low-ankle injury, and cervical neck stinger. Draft Sharks describes him as “high-risk” for future injuries, with an 82 percent chance he misses playing time in 2023.

Barkley also has not signed his franchise tag for the 2023 season, adding further doubt to the stability of the Giants’ rushing offense.

So if the Giants were looking to steal a player from the New England Patriots, their Week 12 opponents, Rhamondre Stevenson, would be a good place to start.

Short of the 49ers' Christian McCaffrey, no other running back in the NFL has the athleticism and versatile toolkit of Barkley. But Stevenson won the hearts of fantasy football team owners last year as he racked up 1,461 all-purpose yards and 11 total touchdowns. Having started only seven games, many experts are bullish on the former Oklahoma Sooner as he enters only his third NFL season.

Stevenson has taken over the lead-back role in New England from Damien Harris, the previous starter who now plays for Buffalo. Reports from Patriots media are high on the young standout.

“Set to embark on his third season with the New England Patriots, Stevenson is perhaps Foxborough's most potent offensive weapon,” Patriots Country report Geoff Magliocchetti wrote.

“A combination of yardage and financials makes Stevenson the ‘most undervalued’ NFL running back last season, according to a study compiled by BetMassachusetts.com. At a $1.012 million cap hit and 1,461 all-purpose yards earned by Stevenson last season, the Patriots paid $693 per yard.”

MORE "STEAL A PLAYER" PICKS

Where Would He Fit In?

As the Giants continue to build a roster capable of challenging the NFC East, value is a top priority. Barkley’s high price tag has given pause to general manager Joe Schoen, who prioritized signing quarterback Daniel Jones this offseason.

With two years left on his rookie deal, Stevenson represents a high-value supplement or replacement in the Giants’ offensive scheme. Across a depleted Patriots roster, he would be the clear choice as a player to steal.