Considerable optimism about the Patriots’ rushing attack existed entering the season, as second-round rookie TreVeyon Henderson impressed consistently during the summer. But the Pats’ bounce-back start to the season has brought ground-game concerns.
New England leads the AFC East for the first time since December 2021, sitting 4-2 with a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bills. But the Pats’ rushing attack ranks 26th, increasing Drake Maye‘s degree of difficulty in what has been a promising start to his sophomore season. The Henderson-Rhamondre Stevenson tandem has not found much success, with the latter’s fumbling issues a hindrance for a second straight season.
Next Gen Stats’ rush yards over expected metric ranks both players in the bottom quartile among qualified RBs. This comes as Pro Football Focus ranks New England’s offensive line ninth through six games. Some buzz about the Pats being RB-curious ahead of the trade deadline has emerged, with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler indicating teams have a buyer’s move here on the radar.
Unlike last season, the Pats have not disciplined Stevenson for his fumbling issue. He bounced back from another giveaway to score twice in the Pats’ upset win over the Bills and leads the team with 157 rushing yards. Henderson is not far behind, at 148, with the two respectively logging 51 and 41 carries. Though, Stevenson has averaged a paltry 3.1 yards per rush; Henderson is at 3.6. The Patriots lost Antonio Gibson to a season-ending ACL tear in Buffalo.
One of the top RB trade chips, Breece Hall, is highly unlikely to be dealt within the AFC East. Another option, Alvin Kamara, has said he would contemplate retirement if traded out of New Orleans. Kamara being stuck on a rebuilding team does not seem to be an issue for a player who has signed two Saints extensions; his current deal (two years, $24.5MM) runs through 2026. Next year, though, does not include any guaranteed money. The Saints also have Kendre Miller as a successor, in the event Kamara is moved.
Would the Titans consider moving starter Tony Pollard as their rebuild takes shape post-Brian Callahan? Tennessee has been mentioned as a prepared seller, while Fowler colleague Dan Graziano predicts the Browns will trade Jerome Ford due to the arrivals of Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson in the draft. Ford is tied to a one-year, $1.75MM deal, though he would not be a clear upgrade over the Pats’ current coalition. Stevenson’s contract runs through 2028, and a $3.25MM guarantee is in place for 2026.
The Chargers and Chiefs have also surfaced as teams to watch for a running back move. Cap space is not an issue for the Pats, who hold an NFL-most $54.7MM (per OverTheCap) ahead of Week 7. They have nearly three weeks to further evaluate this situation, with this year’s deadline looming Nov. 4.
justice hill from ravens for 5th rd pick?
Nice. Or maybe Pacheco?
The Patriots could probably get A.J Dillon (Boston College) from Howie at a reasonable cost.
Pay a rb.
Draft a rb high
Now trade for another.
Excellent!
They must hate Henderson if this is true.
No moron…. they see him as a third down back. They are simply replacing injured/Out for the year Antonio Gibson.
Dowdle maybe? Panthers already paid (in RB terms) Hubbard who will be healthy sooner or later. One year deal so why not move him before letting him walk for nothing while the value is there, especially after the last two games. Not like they’re making the playoffs anyway nor is Hubbard bad by any means. Gotta imagine jets won’t move Breece Hall to an in division team if they chose to trade him.
Hubbard is making peanuts even if there is some guaranteed money. $16M guaranteed over 4 years is nothing and if they wanted to walk out of that right now they could. I’d argue trading Hubbard makes more sense than Dowdle honestly. They still have Jonathon Brooks in the wings for next season too.
The pretty face must be watching too much ESPN/FS1. Carolina is only 2 games behind Tampa Bay after 6 weeks — and the Black Cats don’t play the Buccaneers until December.
What
Maybe a depth piece, but thats it. Its not the backs. Obviously Rhamondre’s fumbling is an issue. But as runners, they run hard and they finish their runs. Whatever PFF says, the line isnt opening up space. Theyre getting hit in the backfield constantly. Wilson and Bradbury in particular struggle at the point of attack and are routinely pushed backwards in the run game. Theyre mobile, but not powerful.
Unless they trade for a guard upgrade, I dont see any major changed coming. Next year, i expect Wilson to move to center and a more physical LG to be brought in.
Stevenson is a good pass blocker. That’s why he’s still on the team.
If Tyrone Tracey is healthy, I could see Devin Singletary as an option for the Pats. Giants certainly aren’t using him much.