-Kevin Harris
Pierre Strong gets the buzz of this Patriots backup RB group. He was drafted higher, ran a 4.37 40 at the combine, and was rumored to be thought of as a long-term James White replacement…but Now Stevenson ended up healthy enough to take the lion’s share of the work but the intention in that move stands.
A question for this team going forward will be whether the pure “James White role” is still a thing and how much of it has Rhamondre Stevenson already absorbed.
A role we should probably be more concerned with is the Damien Harris role. If he leaves in free agency, Kevin Harris is a far better fit as a between-the-tackle replacement. He’s a 221-pound, compact back with good vision, runs with power and finishes runs. He ran 4.56 at his pro day which isn’t blazing but it’s adequate, I think his play speed is maybe a tick faster. He can have a role of substance in 2023 and he’s probably free or near free right now.
-Jerome Ford
With Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson both slated to hit unrestricted free agency, Ford is the only other back besides Nick Chubb currently on the roster. Ford is a well-rounded RB back who runs with a bit more power than his leaner frame may suggest. The former Alabama transfer is also more than comfortable catching the football and a very willing pass protector, traits that will aid him in his quest for Kareem Hunt’s role in 2023.
The Browns will certainly add competition but Ford is said to have impressed in camp. With Nick Chubb exceeding 70% of snaps in a game just twice in the last 3 seasons, the path for playing time on some level is there.
-Eno Benjamin
Benjamin was a late-round pick in 2020 who despite his talent, struggled to get on the field until last year. He finally carved out a role with determined running and pass game comfort, averaging 5.1 yards per touch thru the 1st half of the season before his surprising release from the Arizona Cardinals.
He apparently had issues with his role when starter James Conner returned and that led to the Cardinals letting him go. He spent just 2 games as a member of the Texans before they decided to do the same and eventually closed out the year with the Saints.
Much like the case with Jerome Ford, Eno finds himself as the lone backup currently on the roster but his upside case is a bit more appealing with a potential suspension looming for Alvin Kamara.
Now considering Kamara’s potential legal troubles and rising cap number, I fully expect the Saints to draft an RB at some point but Benjamin certainly has an opportunity to carve out a role.
-Trey Sermon/Kennedy Brooks
With Miles Sanders and Boston Scott hitting free agency and a Jalen Hurts extension looming the Eagles could look at the RB position as a place to save money. Sermon is more physically imposing while Brooks is more detail driven but both are inexpensive fits to their inside zone running game.
For an analytic-driven like the Eagles, I think a pay-as-you-go approach at RB is more likely than a long-term extension for Miles Sanders. With Kenneth Gainwell entrenched on 3rd down, I would not be surprised to see one of these guys earn a secondary early down role.
Bonus tip:
The value of your late-round picks will get a bump this year. As opposed to last year, this RB draft class is deep and talented. There are also a few very large RB cap numbers that could lead to some changing of the guard in a few spots which give you some lottery ticket potential. I think you’ll be able to turn those later 2nd and 3rd round picks into worthwhile RB fliers so hold your picks and try to acquire more if you have the roster space.
DeepCoverPod Blog 