A year ago Patriots fourth-round rookie running back Rhamondre Stevenson drew comparisons to former New England big-bodied lead back LeGarrette Blount.
But with a year of experience under his belt that’s now a few sizes smaller, Stevenson might be in line for comparisons to James White and others in the long list of New England pass-catching backs.
Talking to reporters after the second practice of training camp, the young runner had a simple response when asked how he’s different in his second NFL camp.
“I’m in shape,” Stevenson said in all seriousness.
Though he says he weighed in at a still-large 225 pounds to open camp, Stevenson is anything but the guy who arrived in Foxborough last spring.
“I can run a lot more,” he said of dropping seven pounds and carrying better overall weight. “I just feel better.”
But getting in shape wasn’t the only goal the young playmaker had this offseason. After a rookie year that included relatively impressive production with 606 yards on 133 carries (4.6 avg.) with five touchdowns as well as 14 catches for 123 yards, Stevenson focused on becoming more comfortable in the passing game this offseason. His rookie year included highs (a 41-yard catch-and-run) and lows (getting run over in pass protection) in the area.
“I did a lot. Running routes. Getting better with my hands and just pass protection. All of the above,” Stevenson said after another workout in which he caught the ball well coming out of the backfield.
He already believes the work paid off.
“Definitely. I feel a lot more confident and comfortable running routes and catching passes out of the backfield,” Stevenson said.
Stevenson’s growth in the passing game is coming at a good time for a Patriots offense that’s currently without veteran third down mainstay James White. The veteran missed all but three games last season to a hip injury that has him opening this summer on PUP. If and when the 30-year-old former Super Bowl hero will be ready remains uncertain.
In his absence, the offense must devise a backup plan for the key role. That won’t include veteran Brandon Bolden, who moved on to the Raiders this offseason after catching a career-high 41 passes for 405 yards and a pair of scores a year ago.
Though versatile newcomer Ty Montgomery and rookie fourth-round pick Pierre Strong Jr. might also be options for the third down role in White’s absence, Stevenson looks like he might be the frontrunner for the role at this early point in the process.
He obviously feels like he’s prepared and made strides to be ready if called upon.
“Understanding the third-down concepts and blitz pickups, I’d say,” Stevenson said of his greatest improvement in the passing game. “Just the overall thing. Just running routes, catching the ball, pass protection.
Just learning the whole third-down system.
“I’m just going to get ready for whatever I need to do.”
He certainly looks and sounds like a guy getting ready to catch the ball more in 2022. With White working his way back from a significant injury, that’s something that may be very much needed on the Mac Jones-led new-look New England offense this fall.
