Fantasy Football Player Notes

Damien Harris is an impending free agent, which suggests that Rhamondre Stevenson's role/production in 2023 will be more of what we saw from Weeks 5-16 (RB13 in points per game) when Harris was either not active or not 100% when playing. Even when Harris played alongside Stevenson, the Patriots RB finished third in route participation (58%) and targets (82) among running backs. And remember Stevenson's strong 2022 campaign en route to an RB10 finish was not fueled by touchdowns. In fact, Stevenson was one of the worst RBs converting from inside the 10-yard line as he scored just thrice despite 19 goal-line carries. His teammate Harris scored thrice from inside the 10 - on just 6 carries. If Stevenson experiences positive TD regression, he undoubtedly will build off a strong sophomore season.

Mike Gesicki is one of the most athletic tight ends in the league, but he was a complete nonfactor in fantasy last season. After a 73-catch, 780-yard season in 2021, Gesicki was franchised-tagged by the Dolphins last year, only to become an afterthought in head coach Mike McDaniel's offense. Gesicki averaged just 3.1 targets per game in 2022 and finished with 32 catches for 362 yards and five touchdowns. Gesicki hits free agency this spring and could become a more appealing fantasy option in 2023 if he lands with a team that better utilizes his impressive skill set.

After finishing runner-up in the Offensive Rookie of the Year balloting in 2021, Mac Jones regressed slightly in his second NFL season, with slight dips in yards per attempt, completion percentage and TD rate. Jones averaged 214.1 yards per game, with 14 TD passes and 11 INTs in 14 games. Jones offers little value as a runner, and he might already be near his ceiling as a passer. Consider Jones a fantasy backup whose primary value is that he seems entrenched as New England's starter for at least one more season, barring a challenge from young backup Bailey Zappe.

After scoring nine touchdowns in 2021, Hunter Henry scored just two touchdowns in 2022 and finished TE21 in half-point PPR fantasy scoring. Henry could be a salary-cap casualty for the Patriots this spring, and it might actually bode well for Henry's fantasy value if he's released and ends up in a better passing offense. Not counting the 2018 season, which he missed with a torn ACL, Henry has produced 500+ receiving yards in each of his last five seasons.