Last 10 New England Patriots to rush for 1,000 yards in franchise history

John Stephens, 1988

John Stephens was selected in the first round (17th overall) of the 1988 NFL Draft out of Northwestern State University by the Patriots.

Stephens carried the ball 297 times and averaged 3.9 yards per carry for 1,168 yards and four touchdowns. He also won Offensive Rookie of the Year in his first and only season of rushing for 1,000 yards with the Patriots.

Stephens went on to have a productive career that included three straight years of rushing over 800 yards.

Stephens played the majority of his six-year NFL career with the Patriots before being traded to the Green Bay Packers and then the Kansas City Chiefs. Stephens retired in 1993 and was killed in a tragic car accident in 2009.

Craig James, 1985

After a stellar college career at Southern Methodist University, running back Craig James was drafted fourth overall to the Washington Federals of the USFL in 1983 before signing with the New England Patriots just one year later.

James, who was initially the backup running back to Tony Collins, proved his worth and eventually took over the starting job during his first season with the Patriots in 1984, and became the full-time starter the following year in 1985.

In 1985, James rushed 263 times averaging 4.7 yards per attempt for 1,227 yards and seven total touchdowns. He helped carry New England to the Super Bowl where they lost to the Bears that year.

It’s worth mentioning the Patriots offense was a little more diverse in the 80s, as Tony Eason was capable of running read-option plays, along with James who would often play fullback and reliably catch passes out of the backfield.

Due to injury complications, James only lasted five seasons in the NFL. But in that time he established himself as being one of the most versatile running backs in this time frame and also became the last white running back to rush for 1,000 yards until Peyton Hillis in 2010.