As we get closer to the start of training camps, NFL teams will continue their ongoing voluntary OTA sessions, capping their offseason programs with mandatory minicamps. While we watch for developments from the ongoing work, I'll be resetting some important battles heading into the summer. Last week, it was Quarterback Battles, Real and Imagined.
This week, we'll be diving into the pool of ambiguous backfields to better prepare for our inevitable exposure to them.
Status Quo In New England
As Bleacher Report's Moe Moton recently reminded readers, in 2022, Rhamondre Stevenson appeared to be well on his way to being the New England Patriots' long-term lead running back.
Stevenson, a second-year pro at the time, rushed for 1,040 yards and five touchdowns that year.
Since then, Stevenson's rushing numbers have fluctuated, and he's struggled with ball security. Over the last two years, the 28-year-old has fumbled 10 times.
In 2025, New England selected TreVeyon Henderson in the second round of the draft.
While he never established himself as the lead back, Henderson did cut into Stevenson's workload last season. The veteran went from 207 carries in 2024 to 130 in 2025.
But It Wasn't the Takeover We Expected
Fantasy investors had high hopes for Henderson last summer.
Touted for his electric running style (he averaged 7.1 yards per carry in his final season at Ohio State) and elite pass protection skills, Henderson drew sterling reviews.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz cited an NFL personnel director as saying that Henderson was "one of the most exciting players in the draft and a very clean prospect. Home run threat every touch, who can hurt you lining up out wide. Very dangerous in space. Multiple Pro Bowl-caliber talent."
Fantasy investors bought it.
Henderson was being drafted as RB18 with a fourth-round price heading into the season. Stevenson, meanwhile, was going as RB37 in Round 9.
What We Got
Henderson had what ESPN's Mike Clay characterized as a "roller-coaster" rookie campaign in which he delivered three huge fantasy performances (28-plus points in all three) but otherwise played second fiddle to Stevenson. Henderson averaged 8.3 points per game in his other 14 contests.
Henderson was effective enough, however, averaging 5.1 yards per carry (eighth best) and catching 83 percent of his targets while scoring 10 touchdowns.
The three big games and solid touchdown production propelled Henderson to an RB25 finish on a points per game basis.
That was three spots behind Stevenson's RB22 performance.
Stevenson, who outproduced Henderson despite playing in three fewer games, finished with 603 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on his 130 carries, with 32 catches for 345 yards and two scores. He ranked fifth among backs in forced missed tackle rate, per Pro Football Focus, second in yards after contact (2.82), and first in yards per target (9.1).
And Here We Are Again
Fantasy investors have high hopes for Henderson once again this year.
He's RB21 according to current Average Draft Position (ADP) data. That spot carries a fourth-round price tag. Stevenson is RB29 with a late-sixth-round cost.
The Footballguys projections have the two more tightly packed.
Henderson is projected for an RB26 finish, while Stevenson's RB28 projection is closer to his ADP.
While Moton believes Henderson's 5-10, 202-pound frame may prevent him from taking on a true lead role in which he gets 250-plus touches in a season, his explosive playmaking ability will keep him on the field in any down-and-distance situation.
But expecting Stevenson to disappear after a strong 2025 would be unwise.
Their projections reflect this. Henderson is expected to get 190 carries; Stevenson is projected for 165.
That's enough to believe last year's finishes are well within reach for both. If so, I'll likely have more shares of Stevenson than Henderson.
But if you believe in the second-year man's playmaking ability, he's not cost-prohibitive.
Don't Overlook The Best-Case Scenario
If you want to factor in contingent upside, I get it.
Two of Henderson's three breakout games last season -- a 28.2-point outing against the Buccaneers in Week 10 and a 32.3-point Week 11 explosion against the Jets -- came with Stevenson sidelined.