Patriots
Elliott remains to be seen as an excellent brief yardage operating again, probably limiting Stevenson’s fantasy upside.
The projected fantasy soccer outlook for operating again Rhamondre Stevenson grew to become a bit cloudier following the Monday report that the Patriots are signing Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year deal.
Elliott, who appeared to confirm the news on social media, instantly adjustments the dynamic within the Patriots backfield together with his presence. The query looming over fantasy managers is precisely how a lot this impacts Stevenson’s function?
Whereas will probably be tough to completely discern what the taking part in time break up between the 2 New England operating backs can be, fantasy analysts have already weighed in, providing a sure degree of perception based mostly on the particular gamers in addition to common Patriots developments.
What this implies for Ezekiel Elliott
Elliott, 28, is anticipated to be utilized in brief yardage conditions, the place — regardless of his statistical decline in different areas over the earlier seasons — he stays among the many NFL elite.
“Elliott transformed 56.3 p.c of his rushes from contained in the five-yard line into touchdowns, which was good for the fourth-best landing price amongst operating backs in the identical space of the sphere,” wrote NBC Sports activities’ Zachary Krueger.
In his remaining season with Dallas, Elliott missed two video games with harm, however nonetheless completed with extra carries and an nearly equivalent snap depend as fellow Cowboys again Tony Pollard. He isn’t anticipated to realize the identical degree of utilization in New England, nonetheless, as an alternative becoming into the changeup function beforehand held by Patriots operating again Damien Harris (who left within the offseason for the Payments).
This possible means Elliott is now not a dependable fantasy starter.
“Which may enable him some standalone flex worth at occasions, however Elliott’s days of being a weekly starter within the fantasy soccer area are clearly within the rearview mirror,” predicted Sports activities Illustrated’s Michael Fabiano. “In truth, he’s now possible extra of a late-round possibility as a higher-end No. 4 runner.”
What this implies for Rhamondre Stevenson
Beforehand, Stevenson held an general fantasy soccer common draft place (ADP) within the mid-20s, as he was anticipated to deal with a overwhelming majority of the workload for the Patriots as each a runner and receiver.
With Elliott within the combine, his fantasy standing will take a slight hit.
“He was a fringe RB1 in my rankings earlier than this, however I’m dropping him all the way down to RB17 after this information,” wrote Chris Towers of CBS Sports activities.
“You’re going to see quite a lot of Stevenson, in fact, however you’re going to see some Zeke, who remains to be very efficient,” fantasy professional Matthew Berry defined in his response to the Elliott report. “When it comes to fantasy, I feel you’re going to see Zeke vulture a variety of touchdowns from Rhamondre Stevenson.”
That mentioned, most analysts nonetheless have a broadly favorable view of Stevenson heading into 2023.
“Zeke can be a thorn within the aspect of Stevenson’s general landing upside, however Stevenson stays far and away one of the best again on the workforce,” Krueger wrote. “On a points-per-touch foundation, he ranked eleventh amongst certified operating backs at 0.90 factors per contact and was third in yards after contact per try (3.81).”
Stevenson, according to Dwain McFarland of Fantasy Life, is “nonetheless an excellent late [round three] to early [round four] choose.”
What this implies for different backfields within the NFL
An fascinating dynamic of Elliott signing with the Patriots is the impact it has elsewhere, with one of many extra prized veteran free agent operating backs off the desk.
Previous to the report of his settlement with the Patriots, Elliott was linked to a potential return to Dallas. On condition that that is now not taking place, Pollard is seen as a fantasy beneficiary.
“The largest winner of Ezekiel Elliott’s choice to signal with the Patriots, as reported by quite a few retailers Monday? Most likely Tony Pollard,” mentioned Towers.
Berry additionally noted this dynamic, predicting that Pollard, Joe Mixon in Cincinnati, James Conner in Arizona, and whichever operating again emerges to win the beginning job with the Dolphins are all conditions which are “sneaky fantasy winners” from the Elliott information.
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