After severing ties with Antonio Gibson this offseason, the New England Patriots enter the 2026 NFL Draft poised to add a versatile depth running back who can grow into a reliable complement for Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson in the backfield.
Our 2026 NFL Draft Profiles continue today with best fits for the New England Patriots at an offensive skill group that could afford to add insurance behind their starting rotation: running back.
After spending their second round pick on Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson in the 2025 NFL Draft, New England entered last season with a three-back rotation that featured Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson as the leading snap-getters. Henderson stepped into a contributing role early when Gibson tore his ACL, and was the lead-back when Stevenson missed a three-game stretch with turf toe.
The Patriots were effective at points with a two-back rotation in the latter stages of the season when Stevenson returned to form, but they lacked consistency on a per-snap basis and ranked near the bottom of the league in efficiency.
In the offseason, New England severed ties with Gibson — opening the door for a depth replacement through the draft. Though it likely won’t be a target early in a weaker-than-usual running back class, Vrabel & Co. can attack value late to acquire a rotational piece to develop behind their starters.
Here’s a look at five depth running backs the Patriots could look to target in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
Consensus Big Board Ranking: #67 Overall (#3 RB)
© Nelson Chenault-Imagn ImagesMike Washington Jr. used to be the 2026 NFL Draft’s best-kept secret at the running back position.
That was until he wowed scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.33 second 40-yard dash, 39” vertical jump, and 10’8” broad jump at 6’1”, 223 lbs. He earned an overall athleticism score of 96 and a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.88 out of 10.00, ranking 28th out of 2,300 running back prospects from 1987-2026.
Washington began his collegiate career at the University at Buffalo from 2021-23, transferred to New Mexico State in 2024, and finished his final season with Arkansas. He showed improvement at each stop and enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2025 with Second-Team All-SEC recognition. Washington totaled 1,070 rushing yards on 167 carries (6.4 yards per carry, ninth in the FBS) with eight rushing touchdowns, and added 28 receptions, 226 receiving yards (8.1 yards per reception) and one touchdown receiving to his statline. Washington finished the year with 30 runs of 10-plus yards and 48.3% of his rushing yards (515) came on breakaway runs.
His blend of size, speed, and agility allow Washington to be an effective between-the-tackles runner that is a threat to break away from the defense if he reaches the second level. He reads his blocks well and is able to maintain forward momentum through contact with constant leg drive.
Washington has the physical tools and has shown flashes of being an explosive offensive weapon out of the backfield, but will need to clean up his fumbles (10 in college career with seven in the last two seasons) and his willingness in pass protection to be a three-down player at the next level.
If New England begins looking at running back prospects on Day 2, Washington could be at the top of the list. But we’ll see how far he has to fall to be in their range after spending a premium pick on a running back last year.
Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska
Consensus Big Board Ranking: #108 Overall (#5 RB)
© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesEmmett Johnson was a star with the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 2025, earning Second-Team All-American by the Associated Press, Big Ten Running Back of the Year, and First-Team All-Big Ten after leading the FBS with 151.8 all-purpose yards per game.
Johnson ranked fourth in the nation with 1,451 rushing yards on 251 carries (5.8 yards per carry), 12 rushing touchdowns, and showed versatility as an effective receiver out of the backfield, adding 46 receptions, 370 receiving yards (8.0 yards per reception), and three receiving touchdowns to his total.
A violent, physical downhill runner that specialized in a gap-scheme heavy offensive foundation brought consistent energy and intensity on a snap-by-snap basis. Johnson showed decisiveness in attacking open running lanes, earning a rushing grade of 88.1 and a gap grade of 89.7 while forcing 68 missed tackles (ninth in the FBS) and averaging 2.95 yards per run after contact (740 total yards after contact).
His versatility as a pass catcher was prevalent in 2024 as well, when he served as a change-of-pace back in the Huskers backfield and led the team with 908 all-purpose yards (598 yards rushing, 286 yards receiving, 24 kick return yards).
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Johnson measured in at 5’10”, 202 lbs., and participated in all of the athletic testing drills. He ran a 4.56 second 40-yard dash, 4.29 second 20-yard shuttle, 7.32 second 3-cone drill, jumped 35.5” in the vertical jump and 10’0” in the broad jump, and bench pressed 225 lbs. 16 times.
Johnson doesn’t possess elite speed or athleticism and only had one season worth of incredible production at Nebraska, but he does bring great upside and room to grow as a rotational piece behind Henderson and Stevenson in the Patriots’ backfield.
Adam Randall, RB, Clemson
Consensus Big Board Ranking: #200 Overall (#13 RB)
© Ken Ruinard / USA Today Co Inc SC / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesAdam Randall is a 6’3”, 232 lb. wide receiver who converted to running back for his senior season at Clemson in 2025.
In his first season at the position, Randall was named a team captain and earned Honorable Mention All-ACC recognition after leading the Tigers with 814 rushing yards on 168 carries (4.8 yards per carry) and 10 rushing touchdowns. He added 36 receptions and 250 receiving yards to his total.
Off the field, Randall was named to the AFCA Allstate Good Works Team for his community service efforts in 2025.
His rare blend of size and speed at running back helped him find success as a one-cut runner who plants and gets upfield quickly while using his broad frame to pile through contact and gain additional yards at the end of the run. Randall also brings value as an experienced kick returner.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Randall impressed with a 4.50 second 40-yard dash, 37” vertical jump, 10’4” broad jump, 4.53 second 3-cone drill, and 26 reps on the bench press. He earned an overall athleticism score of 80 and an RAS of 9.44, ranking 127th of 2,268 running back prospects from 1987-2026.
Still new to the position, Randall will need to work on being less of an upright runner at the line of scrimmage to better see holes developing and show more decisiveness to attack the open lanes, but he has all of the physical traits to develop into a versatile offensive weapon.
Also impacting Randall’s draft stock may be his log of past injuries, with a torn ACL in 2022, broken hand in 2023, and broken toe in 2024.
New England has a history of working with converted wide receivers/running backs under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels — with Cordarrelle Patterson being a primary example. The Patriots have already shown interest in Randall as well, as they hosted him on a Top 30 Visit during the pre-draft process.
Randall’s position flexibility and unique combination of size and athleticism make him an intriguing Day 3 option for New England as they look to round out their running back room with developmental talent.
Le’Veon Moss, RB, Texas A&M
Consensus Big Board Ranking: #204 Overall (#14 RB)
© Maria Lysaker-Imagn ImagesLe’Veon Moss has flashed the potential of a running back with great vision, burst, and play strength, but has been riddled with injuries that have cost him the production numbers of some other backs in this draft class.
Moss began his career at Texas A&M as the team’s Top Offensive Newcomer in 2022 before making more significant offensive contributions in 2023 (over 500 all-purpose yards), but missed time with a hamstring injury. Moss’ most productive year was 2024, when he was named Second-Team All-SEC and led the Aggies with 121 attempts, 765 rushing yards (6.3 yards per carry), and 10 rushing touchdowns in nine games before his season ended with a torn ACL/MCL.
He played in seven games in 2025 while dealing with an ankle injury that ultimately kept him from athletically testing in the pre-draft process. In his final season at Texas A&M, he tied for the team lead with six rushing touchdowns, and totaled 77 carries and 404 rushing yards (5.2 yards per carry).
Though he’s been on and off the field throughout his collegiate career, Moss plays with consistent determination to add yards after contact (averaged 3.66 yards after contact per rush) by dropping his pads and finishing through defenders at the end of runs.
Moss may not be the most prolific pass catcher or elusive rusher on this list, but his constant forward momentum and reliability in pass protection give him the potential to develop into a solid rotational three-down substitute.
If the Patriots are looking for a back who can spell Stevenson in short-yardage situations and on third-down blitz pickups, Moss could provide immediate relief in those areas for cheap value late in the NFL Draft.
Jam Miller, RB, Alabama
Consensus Big Board Ranking: #255 Overall (#18 RB)
© Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesJam Miller was a complementary piece in the Alabama Crimson Tide’s offense since arriving in Tuscaloosa as a true freshman in 2022, taking over lead back duties under head coach Kalen DeBoer in 2024.
As a full-time starter in 2024, Miller set a career-mark in rushing yards and led the team with 676 yards on 145 carries (4.6 yards per carry) and added seven rushing touchdowns. In 2025, he rushed for 504 yards on 130 carries (3.9 yards per carry) and found the end zone three times on the ground after missing the season’s fall camp and first three games due to an upper body injury.
Miller uses a low center of gravity and strong base to plant and quickly create space on downhill runs, and brings versatility as a former kick and punt returner. He creates space for himself laterally with frequent use of jump cuts and rarely coughs up the football (two career fumbles).
In Indianapolis, Miller recorded a 4.42 second 40-yard dash, 30.5” vertical jump, and 9’7” broad jump. He earned an overall athleticism score of 81 and an RAS of 7.04 with his testing numbers.
At 5’10”, 206 lbs., Miller possesses the size, speed, and short-area quickness to be an effective NFL rusher, but struggles to see and feel lanes developing in the run game. Perhaps more time to learn the game in a developmental role is needed to see him run with more confidence at the next level.
As a rotational back that provides great speed, a legitimate frame, and adds value in the kicking game, Miller could be a Day 3 option to round out the running back room in Foxboro.
BONUS! Robert Henry Jr., RB, Texas-San Antonio
Consensus Big Board Ranking: #263 Overall (#19 RB)
© Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesA former NJCAA All-American, NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year, and Walter Jones Tropy winner as the nation’s top Junior College player, Robert Henry Jr. transferred to Texas-San Antonio from Jones College in 2023 and continued his excellent production on a larger scale.
After leading the Roadrunners with 11 rushing touchdowns in 2023 and 706 rushing yards in 2024, Henry’s best performance in the FBS came in 2025. He finished the year as a First-Team All-American Athletic Conference selection and ranked third in the FBS with 6.9 yards per carry. He totaled 1,051 rushing yards on 152 carries and scored nine rushing touchdowns en route to setting the school career record with 5.7 yards per carry.
Henry flashed on a national scale in the early portion of 2025 when he rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns against Texas A&M. He shows great burst to hit holes and accelerate to top-speed quickly, and possesses great short-area quickness to make tacklers miss in space.
Over 60% of Henry’s 2025 rushing total came on breakaway runs and he accounted for 24 runs of 10+ yards, but he also showed the ability to win with power, averaging 4.25 yards after contact last season. A more effective gap scheme runner (79.5 gap grade), Henry forced 33 missed tackles on the year.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Henry checked in at 5’9”, 196 lbs., and ran a 4.52 second 40-yard dash, 4.31 second 20-yard shuttle, and jumped 37” in the vertical jump and 10’4” in the broad jump. He recorded an RAS of 7.47 with his testing numbers.
Henry’s smaller frame and limited experience in pass protection and as a receiving threat may limit his potential as a three-down player, but his improved volume and efficiency in production year-over-year may warrant a look with a late Day 3 pick.
Looking Ahead
New England received sparing contributions from Terrell Jennings, and have other running backs rostered — highlighted by Elijah Mitchell and Lan Larison — but Gibson’s departure leaves the door open for young competition to enter the room via the draft. This class may be difficult to find a match in, but there will be opportunity to bring in another piece to fill out the depth of the position group.
Will the Patriots look to add another running back in the 2026 NFL Draft? Who would be the best fit as a complementary piece in their current room? Let us know in the comments section below.
Next up, we’ll be wrapping up our draft profiles with five “best fits” at the cornerback position for New England.
Stay tuned for that and much more right here on Patriots Roundtable.
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