Fantasy Football Player Notes

Rhamondre Stevenson was the Pats' lead back last year as the RB21 in fantasy points per game, and I don't see that changing in 2026. Stevenson was amazing on a per-touch basis, and he bested TreVeyon Henderson in EVERY discernible metric that I care about. Last year, Stevenson was fifth in explosive run rate, missed tackle rate, and yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Stevenson also surpassed Henderson in yards per route run (1.41 vs. 0.98) and pass protection. Unless Stevenson falls off in 2026, he should remain the lead back for New England after playing at least 57% of the snaps in nine of his 14 games played in 2025. Stevenson should have a productive day, but it won't be easy sledding in the rushing department. Last year, Seattle allowed the lowest explosive run rate, the fifth-lowest rushing success rate, and had the fifth-highest stuff rate. Stevenson will have to get it done as a receiver, which he should be able to. Last year, among 52 qualifying backs, Stevenson ranked 15th in yards per route run and first in yards per target. Seattle allowed backs to "run through the air" all season, giving up the eighth-most receiving fantasy points per game, the ninth-most receiving yards, and the most receptions to the position.

AJ. Brown is on his third NFL team and hoping to do exactly what he did with the Eagles. That is, take a team on the verge of winning a Super Bowl and take them over the top. Brown joining up with Drake Maye is exactly what Patriots fans have been hoping for. The Patriots have been desperate for a dominant receiving threat for years, and they now have a proven star to put out wide and move around the formation. The big question is whether we saw a bit of a decline in Brown's game in 2025. Entering his age-30 season, there is a chance that his age is catching up to him. Even if he is on the decline, he has been a dominant receiver for a while and will still be able to come through for fantasy. Unfortunately, after the Seahawks stifled this offense in the Super Bowl, a rematch to open the season is concerning. We'll see if Brown was the piece they were missing in 2025 to compete with one of the league's best defenses. Personally, I would rank A.J. Brown as a WR2 this week due to matchup concerns.

Romeo Doubs should be A.J. Brown's running mate this season. Last year, Doubs was the WR43 in fantasy points per game with five weeks in weekly scoring as a top-25 fantasy wideout while having only a 72.8% route share. Last year, among 109 qualifying wide receivers, Doubs was 36th in target per route run rate, 31st in yards per route run, 18th in first downs per route run, and 27th in fantasy points per route run. Also among those 109 receivers, Doubs was 23rd in separation and fifth in route win rate. Last year, Seattle had the sixth-highest rate of two-high (55.9%). Against two high Doubs had a strong 23% target-per-route run rate and 1.86 yards per route run. Doubs should see solid volume in Week 1, but make no mistake..this is a horrible matchup lining up against Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe for most of the game. Last year, Seattle allowed the fewest yards per target and the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Last year, Hunter Henry was the TE12 in fantasy points per game while setting a new career high in receiving yards (768) and finishing with the second-most receiving touchdowns in a season in his career (seven). Among 54 qualifying tight ends, he was 15th in target share, 13th in receiving yards per game, 17th in yards per route run, and 14th in first-read share and first downs per route run. I expect Hunter Henry to take a step back in the target pecking order in New England this season with A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs on the depth chart. This opening matchup isn't kind to Henry. Last year, Seattle utilized two high at the sixth-highest rate. Against two high last year, Henry had only a 16% target-per-route-run rate and 1.08 yards per route run. Add on top that Seattle held tight ends to the 14th-fewest yards per target and ranked 15th in fantasy points per opportunity, and Henry is an easy sit this week.