Every RB picked ahead of Rhamondre Stevenson in the 2021 NFL Draft

When the Patriots selected Rhamondre Stevenson in the fourth round of the 2021 Draft, they weren't necessarily looking for a new starter in the backfield. They seemed to have found their guy in Damien Harris, who they drafted two years before and still had Super Bowl legend James White under contract.

However, due to an early-season injury to White, Stevenson was thrust into a big role on offense and proved to be exactly what the team needed. He recorded 133 carries for 606 yards and 5 touchdowns as a rookie, on top of 14 receptions for 123 yards, filling in for the veteran quite nicely.

The following year, Stevenson was handed the keys by Bill Belichick, who booted Harris from the top spot on the roster. He eclipsed 1,000 yards on the ground, becoming the first Patriots running back to do that since LeGarrette Blount in 2016, and solidified his role as the primary option out of the backfield.

As he enters his fourth season with a new contract extension in hand, Stevenson has recorded 499 carries for 2,265 yards and 14 touchdowns through 41 games. He's also added 121 receptions for 782 yards and 2 touchdowns in the passing game, becoming a solid dual-threat option for whoever is in at quarterback.

Now that he's on pace to be considered one of the best at the position in the league, it's interesting to reflect upon the 2021 draft class and look at the running backs taken before him. Only a few have had more productive careers in the three seasons since, making him look like an even better selection for the Patriots.

Every RB picked before the New England Patriots selected Rhamondre Stevenson in the 2021 NFL Draft

1. Najee Harris

Draft Position: 24th overall
Drafted By: Pittsburgh Steelers

Career Stats (51 games): 834 carries, 3,269 yards, 22 TD | 144 receptions, 866 yards, 6 TDs

After moving on from James Conner, who had been their starting running back, the Steelers replaced him with rookie Najee Harris. He immediately lived up to the hype and his first-round selection by recording 307 carries for 1,200 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2021.

Harris has since recorded two more 1,000-yard seasons and has solidified himself as one of the best running backs in the entire NFL.

2. Travis Etienne

Draft Position: 25th overall
Drafted By: Jacksonville Jaguars

Career Stats (29 games): 487 carries, 2,133 yards, 16 TDs | 93 receptions, 792 yards, TD

As the draft pick taken right after Najee Harris by the Jaguars, Travis Etienne has also impressed over the last three years despite missing his entire rookie season for a severe foot injury. Once he returned the following year, he recording1,125 yards on the ground and 5 touchdowns, on top of being a solid weapon as a receiver for Trevor Lawrence.

Etienne built upon his unofficial rookie year last season, by eclipsing 1,000 yards again and doubling his touchdowns with 11 scores, plus 58 receptions for 476 yards and a touchdown.

He is projected to continue as Jacksonville's RB1 and has the potential to be one of the best in the league.

3. Javonte Williams

Draft Position: 35th overall
Drafted By: Denver Broncos

Career Stats (37 games): 467 carries, 1,881 yards, 7 TDs | 106 receptions, 620 yards, 5 TDs

The Broncos looked to have struck gold after moving on from Phillip Lindsay when they signed veteran Melvin Gordon III in 2020. He remained with the team for the duration of his two-year contract, and that's when Javonte Williams took over the backfield.

Although he's been a solid option in Denver, he hasn't lived up to the production of those before him. Some of that could be attributed to their struggle in putting together a formidable offense since Peyton Manning retired, several coaching changes, and quarterback switches.

However, Williams will likely need a productive 2024 season to keep his roster spot beyond this fall.

4. Trey Sermon

Draft Position: 88th overall
Drafted By: San Francisco 49ers

Career Stats (25 games): 78 carries, 346 yards, TD | 6 receptions, 39 yards

Of the six players taken before Stevenson in the 2021 Draft, Trey Sermon has had one of the least inspiring careers thus far. When the 49ers drafted him, they needed a productive running back, and although Sermon had been selected before him, the team went with Elijah Mitchell.

The following season, he signed with the Eagles as a primary backup but only played in two games. Sermon saw more action for the Colts last year, recording 35 carries for 160 yards, but was still not an integral part of offensive plans.

He re-signed with Indianapolis this offseason and will continue to serve as a secondary option behind Jonathan Taylor.

5. Michael Carter

Draft Position: 107th overall
Drafted By: New York Jets

Career Stats (45 games): 291 carries, 1,228 yards, 7 TDs | 101 receptions, 714 yards, TD

Once the Jets decided to prioritize finding their next young running back after getting the last efforts out of Franke Gore in 2020, they selected Michael Carter in hopes he would bring more juice to the backfield. He did just that and added more production as a receiver, but he didn't quite fit the bill in the way that they needed.

Carter saw less usage the following season and was eventually released mid-season and picked up by the Cardinals. It's not an ideal place for him to be, as they have James Conner as their starter, but perhaps Carter will become a suitable backup when needed.

6. Kene Nwangwu

Draft Position: 119th overall
Drafted By: Minnesota Vikings

Career Stats (37 games): 27 carries, 88 yards | 6 receptions, 30 yards

Being drafted to a team with an already established backfield made up of one of the best running backs in the game is certainly not what most players would dream of. But that happened with Kene Nwangwu, who joined the Vikings at the peak of the Dalvin Cook era in Minnesota.

There were no plans to move on from Cook or utilize another back in his place, so Nwangwu would serve as the last of all options, which is exactly what he did. He has mostly played on special teams over the last three years and will continue to do so for the NFC North team this fall.

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