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New England Patriots

New England Patriots

Green Bay, Wisconsin; Aug. 19, 2023: New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott reacts during a scuffle before a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. (Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports)

The New England Patriots’ running back room has suddenly become crowded in recent weeks. So it’s worth checking in on the team, as well as the individual players.

It’s likely that the overall hierarchy has changed since the signing of Ezekiel Elliott. Despite the veteran former Dallas Cowboy’s contract being loaded with bonuses and incentives, his cap hit and likely earnings are about the same as the rest of the running backs combined.

So, Elliott’s pay grade and pedigree probably have him solidly second behind Rhamondre Stevenson on the Patriots’ running back depth chart. And now, there are FIVE more backs to consider after the new “1-2 punch.” Here’s a look at every running back on the roster, as of Monday…

Ezekiel Elliott

Aug 19, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) greets teammates before game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay, WI; Aug. 19, 2023: New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) greets teammates before a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. (Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports)

Elliott didn’t play last in Saturday’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. It wasn’t a shock, since Elliott just arrived with the team earlier that week for joint practices.

Head coach Bill Belichick was asked about Elliott’s first week as a Patriot during a pregame interview with Scott Zolak on Saturday. Belichick indicated that Elliott will see an increase in workload during practice, which was originally scheduled to be joint practices with the Tennessee Titans before the team cancelled those on Sunday.

Aug 19, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) reacts before game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay, WI: New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott reacts before a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Aug. 19, 2023. (Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports)

“We’ll work him in probably a little more [this week],” Belichick said. “We’ll see how that goes. But, he’ll be ready to go [whenever he’s called upon]. Glad we have him.”

It remains unclear when Elliott will make his Patriots debut. There’s a clause in his contract that drops his salary from $1.55 million to $1 million if he suffers an injury before the start of the regular season, a possible indication that the Patriots intend to play him in the preseason at some point.

  • Rhamondre Stevenson

    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 18: Rhamondre Stevenson #38 of the New England Patriots rushes for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

    Rhamondre Stevenson of the New England Patriots runs for a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 18, 2022. (Chris Unger/Getty Images)

    Stevenson remains the Patriots’ clear RB1, and the only one worth drafting in fantasy beyond late-round fliers. In case he needed to reassert himself (he did not), Stevenson took four carries for 27 yards and a touchdown against the Packers.

    On his TD run, he overcame some shaky blocking on the right side of the line to push his way into the end zone. On the next possession, he actually got really good blocking – particularly a second-level seal from Kendrick Bourne – that helped spring him for a 23-yard scamper.

    No reports of any injuries or anything to be concerned about with Stevenson. Elliott provides good depth and certainly a reprieve from the physical toll of situations like short yardage and blitz pickup. But Stevenson is clearly the top playmaker in the RB room.

  • Pierre Strong Jr.

    Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots running back Pierre Strong Jr. (35) ru8ns after the catch with Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) in tow during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

    Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots running back Pierre Strong Jr. runs after the catch with Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris in tow during a preseason game at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 10, 2023. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)

    Strong didn’t play against the Packers, due to entering the NFL concussion protocol last week. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, he’s expected to rejoin the team this week.

    Both 2022 draft picks at running back, Strong and Kevin Harris, have had relatively quiet summers. The signing of Elliott is possibly an acknowledgment of their lack of progress. But at the same time, Strong has repped with the starters at times in passing game drills and does possess elite speed (4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash).

    In light of those facts, Strong should still be able to avoid waivers during the Patriots’ roster cutdowns. He should either make the 53-man roster or be stashed on injured reserve. Passing down backs typically have a steep learning curve in New England, so it’s possible Strong just needs more time to develop.

  • Kevin Harris

    Green Bay Packers linebacker Lukas Van Ness (90) tackles New England Patriots running back Kevin Harris (36) during their preseason football game Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

    Green Bay Packers linebacker Lukas Van Ness (90) tackles New England Patriots running back Kevin Harris (36) during a preseason game on Aug. 19, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
    (Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

    Harris projects as more of an early-down back than a pass-catcher, so his roster spot is less secure than Strong’s. With the arrival of Elliott, Harris is at best the No. 3 option on the ground.

    Compounding problems for Harris is how much better Stevenson looked than him, just with the pure eye test. And while Harris had a few powerful runs on Saturday night, he ended up with only 3.1 yards per carry, and certainly didn’t do enough to stand out or separate himself in any way.

    If Harris makes the team, he seems to be no more than a reserve back who would step up in case Stevenson or Elliott aren’t available.

  • J.J. Taylor

    GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 19: Anthony Johnson Jr. #36 of the Green Bay Packers tackles J.J. Taylor #42 of the New England Patriots in the second half during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 19, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

    GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN: Anthony Johnson Jr. of the Green Bay Packers tackles J.J. Taylor of the New England Patriots during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on Aug. 19, 2023. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

    Taylor has shown an impressive level of perseverance over his three-plus years in New England. He’s been active for only 12 games and grabbed 58 touches over three full seasons, yet continues to stick around, whether on the main roster or practice squad.

    The fourth-year pro led the Patriots on Saturday night with 7.3 yards per carry, showing notable burst. He looks like a guy who’s still competing for snaps, despite his diminutive 5-foot-6 frame and perpetual reserve status. But Taylor can’t be counted out just yet.

    “J.J. has just gotten better every year,” Belichick said of Taylor on Monday. “He works extremely hard, very diligent guy. … His versatility, handling punts, playing on the kickoff team, playing on all three downs offensively, his versatility, he wasn’t able to do that three years ago. So, his versatility and his overall skill in the passing game, both of those have improved.”

  • Ty Montgomery

    Jul 26, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Ty Montgomery II (14) makes a catch during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

    New England Patriots wide receiver Ty Montgomery II makes a catch during training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)

    Montgomery was working mainly with the wide receivers early in camp, but he’s been absent for more than three weeks now. The oft-injured Montgomery has looked like a good fit and a big part of the Patriots’ passing game when he’s been on the field, but he continues to suffer health-related setbacks.

    According to

    League source says Ty Montgomery is “getting better” but is still considered day-to-day. No real positional redundancy there, but it’s still going to be interesting to see where he fits in with Zeke’s arrival, at least from a pure numbers perspective.

    — Christopher Price (@cpriceglobe) August 18, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christopher Price of the Boston Globe, Montgomery is “‘getting better’ but is still considered day-to-day.” The longer he remains out, the more he creeps into the “unreliable” category, when it comes to availability. He’s more of a wild card than anything else, at the moment.

  • C.J. Marable

    Apr 23, 2022; Birmingham, AL, USA; Birmingham Stallions running back CJ Marable (11) runs the ball against the Houston Gamblers during the second half at Protective Stadium. Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

    Apr 23, 2022; Birmingham, AL, USA; Birmingham Stallions running back CJ Marable (11) runs the ball against the Houston Gamblers during the second half at Protective Stadium. Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

    A former USFL running back who signed with the Patriots last weekend, Marable dressed but did not play against the Packers. He’s a long shot to actually make the roster, but would have a great chance of sticking around as a member of the practice squad.

  • Click here for complete New England Patriots coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

    Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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