Which Player Does Patriots' Bill Belichick 'Love'?

Forget - for now - DeAndre Hopkins and Dalvin Cook, because New England Patriots' coach Bill Belichick remains enamored with rising-star running back Rhamondre Stevenson.

DeAndre Hopkins and even Dalvin Cook may be arriving. But Rhamondre Stevenson is already here. And, surprising for the gruff ol' coach, Bill Belichick clearly loves the New England Patriots' running back.

The departure of Damien Harris, recent release of James Robinson - and reluctance to pursue free agent Ezekiel Elliott - further clears the way for Stevenson to be the team's workhorse back this season. The Pats have depth in the backfield. But make no mistake, Stevenson might be used even more than last season when he carried 210 times for 1,070 yards and led the team with 69 catches.

"It's not so often as a Patriots running back that you're out there that many snaps," former running back James White said of Stevenson, who played 66 percent of the snaps in 2022. "Bill loves that guy, so he just has to capitalize on the opportunity."

He will be supplemented by third-down specialist Ty Montgomery and a group of young backups behind him including 2022 draft picks Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris.

"It almost reminds me of before I got to the Patriots when they had Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen [in the early 2010s], and Danny Woodhead, Kevin Faulk and others were gone," said White, who was a frequent visitor to OTAs and minicamp. "Back then it was like, 'This is your backfield now.' I feel like that's the transition there now."

Although Stevenson led the Patriots in carries last season, it pales in comparison to the massive workload shouldered by the likes of Corey Dillon (345 times in 2004) or LeGarrette Blount (299 carries in 2016).

"With (offensive coordinator) Bill O'Brien coming back, they'll probably get back to having a sub back," White said. "I feel like he'll be the guy to take that on if they don't have Rhamondre take on the full load."

---

Follow Richie Whitt on Twitter

Follow Patriots Country on Twitter and Facebook

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Patriots? Click Here

More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.