Patriots’ thin backfield could soon get much-needed veteran help

For all the New England Patriots’ success this season, one issue just won’t go away — their running back depth.

Despite ranking seventh in run-play percentage, the Patriots sit middle of the pack in rushing yards per game. Only TreVeyon Henderson and Antonio Gibson have averaged at least 4.0 yards per carry, and both come with caveats: Henderson’s role is just now expanding with Rhamondre Stevenson sidelined, while Gibson’s season ended early with a torn ACL.

While Henderson has gained some traction with Stevenson out, it's been far from perfect. He broke out with 147 yards on the ground in Sunday's big win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but two long touchdown runs contributed the bulk of that yardage.

On Henderson's other 12 attempts against the Bucs, he gained just 23 yards, or 1.9 per carry. The Ohio State product's big-play ability is impossible to ignore, but there are certainly concerns about his consistency as a true RB1.

The Patriots have few alternatives to Henderson with Stevenson out of the lineup.

Terrell Jennings had his first NFL touchdown in Week 9, but has just 18 carries for 68 yards on the year; he was also ruled out for the second half of Week 10 with a knee injury.

D'Ernest Johnson had some success with the Cleveland Browns a few seasons ago, but the 29-year-old isn't a meaningful part of the Patriots' stable of backs; even with Henderson and Jennings banged up on Sunday, he only got one carry.

The New England Patriots have a glaring problem, and free agency might fix it

While Jennings has flashed some potential as a power back, relying on either him or Johnson if Henderson were to go down would be irresponsible.

Stevenson averages a measly 3.4 yards a carry, and has had four games this year in which he's ducked under 2.5 yards per touch. His return will help things, given his experience and improvements with ball security, but it's hardly an excuse not to add to the running back room.

With the trade deadline passed, free agency is the best option. Zack Moss, Jamaal Williams, and Gus Edwards are three names that should raise eyebrows. All three have been primary ball carriers, and each would offer a power-running threat.

In 2023, Moss had two games of 120 yards or more, averaging 4.3 a carry and finishing the year with a career-high 794 rushing yards. Williams had over 1,000 yards and led the league in rushing touchdowns in 2022. Edwards rushed for 810 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Ravens in 2023, before a down year in 2024 with the Chargers.

It would be a good idea for the Patriots to sign one of those players to their practice squad, as a veteran rusher would offer instant insurance against another injury in the team's thin running back room.