Fantasy Insider Report: Mac Jones Should Keep His Job, but Rhamondre Stevenson Is Patriots’ Best Weapon

Plus, free-agent addition JuJu Smith-Schuster will get plenty of action.

The Athlon Sports 2023 Fantasy Football Annual magazine reached out to team insiders at all 32 NFL clubs to ask them three key fantasy questions heading into the season. As we count down to training camp, Sports Illustrated will publish their answers here. Today’s team: New England Patriots 

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With Damien Harris gone, can Rhamondre Stevenson emerge as a top-five fantasy RB?
Absolutely. In fact, Stevenson probably already is one after collecting 1,461 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns in 2022. He also had 69 receptions. Stevenson is one of those rare breeds who seems to get stronger as the game goes on, and he thrives on contact. If nobody else emerges as a third-down option, the sure-handed Stevenson will get even more touches this fall.

• 2023 Season Outlook: New England Patriots

Do you expect Mac Jones to be on a short leash? Is he in danger of losing his job to Bailey Zappe?
Jones will need to fight to keep his spot atop the depth chart this summer, but it’s a battle he should win. His leash won’t be short, but it won’t be infinite, either. Jones needs to make strides in the pocket but also on the sideline and in the locker room. Quarterbacks need to be natural leaders. Being fiery is a good thing; being pouty is not. Jones’s sideline demeanor will be a key for the Patriots this season. Expect the threat of Zappe being at the ready to keep Jones on his best behavior (in all areas) in 2023.

Who will emerge as the Patriots’ leading receiver?
JuJu Smith-Schuster. An extra-large slot receiver, Smith-Schuster has a quick release off the line, sure hands and exquisite moves after the catch. With other short-area options that defenses must respect (most notably tight ends Mike Gesicki and Hunter Henry), teams cannot afford to double Smith-Schuster, which should allow him to build a quick rapport with Jones. That will translate to lots of catches and lots of points.

—Jim McBride, Boston Globe

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