Last season, the Patriots went from the basement of the AFC East to first place. First-year head coach Mike Vrabel gave them some real direction. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye turned into a legit star. And somehow, a team that looked lost ever since the Brady-Belichick era ended found its stride and became one of the NFL’s best stories.
New England won 10 straight regular-season games. Then they won two home playoff games against the Chargers and Texans. Then they went to Denver and won the AFC Championship on the road — something the Brady-Belichick teams never did. The run ended in the Super Bowl against Seattle, but it was still a hell of a ride.
Now it’s 2026, and nobody is sleeping on the Patriots. Every opponent is circling this game. Maye will carry a lot of the load, but the running game needs to be productive if they want to take pressure off the passing attack.
That’s where the training camp battle comes in.
Two backs, one backfield
The Patriots have a pair of powerful runners. Veteran Rhamondre Stevenson has been a leader in New England for five years. Treveyon Henderson is the second-year stud out of Ohio State who showed last season he was worth that second-round pick. And now Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels have to decide who starts.
Henderson carried 180 times for 911 yards and 9 touchdowns as a rookie. He caught 35 passes for 221 yards and another score. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry and had a 69-yard run. The guy has big-play ability, and after playing for the national champion Buckeyes, the big stage never bothered him.
Stevenson is a different kind of back. He’s dependable, fights for every yard, and has been productive since his rookie season when he ran for 606 yards and 5 scores. In Year 2 he went over 1,000 yards. He’s also a real receiving threat — he caught 69 passes back in 2022.
Last year Stevenson dealt with turf toe but still ran for 603 yards and 7 touchdowns. He caught 32 balls for 345 yards and 2 scores. When the game is on the line, he’s the guy you trust.
Who gets the edge?
Henderson is faster and more explosive. He’s the kind of back who can turn a routine handoff into a 60-yard highlight. That probably makes him the starter and the guy who gets more touches early in the season. But Stevenson’s all-around game and ability to grind out tough yards means he’ll get plenty of work too — especially in close games.
Fantasy managers are watching this closely. And honestly, they should. Both backs have real value in this offense.
Don’t sleep on the No. 3 receiver battle
While everyone is focused on the running backs, the Patriots also have a fight brewing at wide receiver. Newcomers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs will be the top two targets. But the No. 3 spot could be a sneaky fantasy option.
Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte are battling for that role. Boutte caught 33 passes for 561 yards and 6 touchdowns last year. Hollins had 46 catches for 550 yards and only 2 scores. Boutte’s ability to find the end zone gives him an edge, and he could be a solid late-round pick for fantasy managers looking for a dependable third receiver.
The Patriots aren’t sneaking up on anyone this year. But if the running game and the depth at receiver both deliver, they might not need to.
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