Patriots 2021 Position Preview: Reshuffling the running back rotation

Author Alex Barth

July 16th, 2021 6:00 AM

Since LeGarrette Blount’s departure before the 2017 season, the Patriots have used a committee approach to the running back position. Only twice in the last four seasons has a Patriots back played over 40 percent of the team’s snaps – James White did so in both 2018 and 2019. 

Entering the 2021 season, the Patriots return three of the top four backs from last year’s rotation. However, shifting circumstances could make the adjustment more than a simple ‘one in, one out’ replacement. 

James White, Damien Harris, and Sony Michel all return after playing the first, third, and fourth most running back snaps respectively on the team last season. The initial question for this group is who takes over Rex Burkhead’s 26.6-percent usage rate?

Finding a replacement for Burkhead isn’t a simple task. Patriots running backs can usually be sorted into two groups – early down traditional running backs (ex. Harris, Michel, Blount, Antowain Smith) and third down pass catching backs (ex. White, Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead, Kevin Faulk). Burkhead’s varied skill set allowed him to play both roles as needed.

Those kinds of well-rounded running backs aren’t common, but the Patriots did add another in the draft in fourth-round pick Rhamondre Stevenson. At 6-foot, 245 pounds Stevenson has the downhill ability for short yardage situations. At the same time, he has soft hands to contribute in the passing game – and perhaps more importantly is a strong pass blocker – which is a necessity for a back playing on longer to-go situations. 

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  So why isn’t Stevenson a lock to assume at least the brunt of Burkhead’s old role? Based on historical context, the Patriots may be hesitant to put him on the field. 
  
  In 21 seasons with Bill Belichick as the head coach, the Patriots have had 15 first-year running backs. Of those 15, only three have had over 100 touches - the two first round picks of Sony Michel and Laurence Maroney, as well as third-round pick J.R. Redmond during Belichick’s first season in 2000.
  
  Although he’s a fit for the job, it’s possible the Patriots won’t give Stevenson a heavy workload in 2021. Even by rookie standards, he’s relatively inexperienced. A JUCO transfer, he played just two years of Division-I football at Oklahoma, and his 165 career college carries rank 17th among the 19 running backs taken in his draft class.
  
  That’s not to say Stevenson can’t turn into a productive player for the Patriots in the future. For example, James White, who has been one of the team’s top offensive weapons for the past six years, had just 14 total touches during his rookie campaign. But pending a true breakout training camp and preseason, it may be another year before Stevenson becomes a more central part of the offense.

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  If Stevenson isn’t an option, the Patriots could look to split the role up between second-year back J.J. Taylor, and veteran opt-out return Brandon Bolden. Those two actually pair well together. As a smaller, slippery runner, Taylor would be a good compliment to the powerful styles of Harris and Michel on early downs. Meanwhile, Bolden has proven to be an adept receiver and pass protector in the past. 
  
  As for the early down role, the main question is whether Harris will overtake Michel as the team’s ‘RB1.’ However, pending injuries don’t expect to see the snap counts between the two become lopsided, at least early in the season. There’s a noted benefit to balancing the overall workload of both backs, keeping them fresh for a potential playoff push down the stretch.
  
  The real ‘RB1’ conversation is not how much each back is used, but the situations they’re put in. For example, which guy is getting the nod on third and short, or in the fourth quarter when the team is trying to close out games. Harris appeared to have the edge in that category towards the end of last season, but Michel, in a contract year, should make a push.
  
  With a strong offensive line and new weapons tailored to a play-action attack, the ground game will be a central focus of the Patriots’ offense this season. They one again boast a strong group of backs who should be able to rise to the occasion, the question is how all of the pieces will fit to fill out the puzzle. 

Patriots 2021 Positional Previews: Quarterback | Tight End | Offensive Line | Cornerback

MORE: A shifting dynamic in the Stephon Gilmore negotiations?

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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