The Patriots are going with Drake Maye ($5,000) at quarterback this week against the Texans, but it isn’t clear yet which running back the rookie will have to work with. Rhamondre Stevenson ($6,100) was demoted to second-string status last week due to fumble issues, but still had a good game with 19.2 fantasy points off the bench. Antonio Gibson ($5,300) started in his place and finished with 6.6 fantasy points. Stevenson left the game for a while with a calf injury and missed a few plays, and he wasn’t able to practice Wednesday as a result.
Stevenson seemed to indicate he’ll be able to play this week despite the issue, but if he is out, Gibson will become a very strong option since the Patriots are likely to lean heavily on their run game in Maye’s first start.
Even as the starter last week, Gibson played 47% of the team’s snaps while Stevenson took an identical 47%. If Stevenson were to miss the game, Gibson would likely get almost all the backfield work with JaMycal Hasty ($4,000) possibly mixing in as a change-of-pace back.
Gibson has posted double-digit DKFP in two games this season, running for 96 yards in Week 2 and racking up 67 receiving yards in Week 4. He had a decent showing with 56 total yards last week, but it was Stevenson who found the end zone.
In his 35 carries this year, Gibson has averaged 5.9 yards per attempt. If he’s the featured back, he’ll be a solid option at just over $5,000 for DFS contests, including the NFL $3M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st].
The Texans have been solid against running backs, but Gibson would move into my top 25 RBs to start this week without Stevenson. Right now, I have Rhamondre ranked in the top 20 — I’d slot Gibson a little lower, probably around RB22, if Stevenson is out.
Stay tuned for further developments as we approach kickoff for Maye’s first start, in which the Patriots are seven-point home underdogs.
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