Should I drop Rhamondre Stevenson? Week 8 Fantasy projection for Patriots RB

Rhamondre Stevenson has been inconsistent for the New England Patriots during the 2024 season. The running back started the first four games, then was benched for Antonio Gibson because he could not keep the ball.

But last time out against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, he was thrust back into the starting lineup. And once again, he underwhelmed with a measly 18 yards on seven carries.

It is a sign of how far he has fallen from being the Patriots' main rusher in 2022 (1,040 yards and five touchdowns on 210 carries), the last time they were seriously in the playoff hunt. And their next opponents do not exactly inspire confidence in him...

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Rhamondre Stevenson Week 8 fantasy outlook: Should he be dropped?

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson has struggled this season - Source: Getty

Unfortunately for Rhamondre Stevenson, the New York Jets are expected to neutralize him.

Much has been said about Gang Green's offensive struggles with Aaron Rodgers, but they still boast one of the most talented defenses in the league - one that is set to become even stronger now that Haason Reddick has ended his holdout and reworked his contract.

It starts at the trenches. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is a burly beast of a man at 6'3" and 303 lbs, capable of stopping both passers and rushers. Beside him is Javon Kinlaw, who is even bigger at 6'5" and 319 lbs. Sitting on either end are Micheal Clemons and Will McDonald IV, both capable tacklers in their own right.

Reddick is set to reinforce the middle, which already boasts All-Pros Quincy Williams and CJ Mosley, as well as Chazz Surratt and Jamien Sherwood. All those men can gang up on Stevenson should he manage to break the line.

And if even that fails, there is the secondary. Sauce Gardner may be well-known for shutting down even the best wideouts; but he, alongside fellow shutdown cornerback DJ Reed, is not the only defensive back the Jets have. At the nickel is Brandin Echols, who forms part of a last-line trio with safeties Tony Adams and Jalen Mills that can stop their target before he can turn a play into a touchdown.

That makes Rhamondre Stevenson someone to bench in Week 8, especially since there are more viable alternatives like Breece Hall, who is expected to play a larger role in Todd Downing's run-first strategy.