The New England Patriots officially released Antonio Gibson earlier this week, saving around $3 million in cap space. While Gibson was a very good kick returner at the beginning of the season, his Week 5 ACL tear ended the season abruptly for him.
Aside from TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson, the roster also features some interesting depth options who could compete for the newly opened RB3 role.
Terrell Jennings and Lan Larison will each return from IR, while futures signing Elijah Mitchell had over 1,000 total yards in his rookie year with the 49ers back in 2021. While they may be able to find a diamond in the rough to replace Gibson long term, it's difficult to acquire a reliable back and kick returner in one swoop.
In a recent press conference, Eliot Wolf mentioned that he likes running backs with burst. While the Patriots may first look to free agency to fill the void, the draft could also be a source of depth.
Three players the Patriots could draft to replace Antonio Gibson
Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
Johnson will be the highest drafted of the three players on this list, and has been a popular pick for teams in the third round. While New England may not have a need for a third-round back on the surface, it could be a wise selection.
If one of Henderson or Stevenson were to sustain a long-term injury, relying on the likes of Terrell Jennings, Lan Larison, or Elijah Mitchell isn't ideal.
Johnson totaled 1,820 yards this year, 1,450 of which came on the ground. He rushed for 12 touchdowns in 12 games. While he'd likely be a situational back and special teamer in his rookie year, he could succeed Stevenson as the backfield's complement to Henderson.
At 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, he's not nearly as big as Stevenson, but his production in a major conference paired with his receiving ability (46 catches in '25) will likely see him have plenty of suitors. New England should be one of them.
Dean Connors, Houston
Connors won't require the investment Johnson might, but he's very similar. After three seasons at Rice, the Hawaii native transferred to Houston, where he was just 20 yards shy of the thousand-yard mark. While that's an accomplishment he reached in college football, his last three seasons have been very productive.
Since 2023, he's never had less than 775 yards rushing or 400 yards receiving, making him a true three-down back. He's also been efficient, never dipping below 4.9 yards per carry.
He had 61 catches in 2024 with the Owls, and while he was asked to be a more pure rusher this year in Houston (most career carries), he still managed a respectable 34 catches. Connors also had 9 career kickoff returns, Gibson's primary role last season.
Adam Randall, Clemson
If the Patriots want to focus on power football, Randall's their guy. At 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, he'd come in to the league as one of the taller backs, but that won't be an issue at his weight. He isn't a player that will run away from defenders: he had just 8 runs for 15+ yards all season.
That lack of burst that Wolf craves hasn't meant a lack of productivity, however. He totalled over 800 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns this season to go along with 36 catches. During his first three seasons at Clemson, he played wide receiver but wasn't particularly productive.
His 250 receiving yards this season were the most he had in a single season. Between his size and receiving acumen, Randall could be an excellent replacement for Gibson. PFF lists him as their 316th best player, but perhaps the Patriots snag him with their seventh-round pick?
The Patriots may first explore free agency to replace Gibson, but the draft could be another avenue they pursue. A receiving back with rushing upside is hard to find, but Johnson, Connors, or Randall could offer some insurance after Gibson's departure.