The Patriots are set to sign RB Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year deal worth "up to" $6 million, NFL Network reports. We'll see about the actual details of the contract but doubt the base value is anywhere close to $6 million. Elliott's name is much bigger than his game at this point. The 28-year-old averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per carry last season, ranking 43rd among 48 qualifiers in NFL Next Gen Stats' Rush Yards Over Expected Per Attempt. His usage and production plummeted in the passing game, too. Elliott caught just 17 of 23 targets for 92 yards (5.4 YPC) and 0 TDs. The Patriots have been flirting with free-agent RBs for a while now -- seemingly in large part because depth RBs Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris have failed to emerge. The Elliott signing is more about those guys than lead RB Rhamondre Stevenson. Zeke's arrival adds some risk to Stevenson's 2023 fantasy outlook. But Stevenson was more effective by basically any metric last year -- as a runner and pass-catcher -- and should remain the Patriots' clear backfield leader. Elliott looks more like a Stevenson handcuff than standalone fantasy option. But we'll keep an eye on New England's plans.
Update: Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the deal carries $3 million in base salary, $1 million in signing bonus, and incentives that can take it to $6 million.
Patriots RB Ezekiel Elliott tallied 12 carries for 27 rushing yards in Week 16 vs. the Broncos. Though the veteran didn’t shine as a runner, he did thrive in the receiving game on Sunday night. Elliott concluded the contest with 9 catches on 11 targets (both team-highs) for 33 yards and a score. All said, he finished the week with 21 PPR points and turned in a fourth-straight game with at least 16 touches. Assuming Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) is out of the lineup again in Week 17, Elliott will be in a position to be an RB2 candidate going up against a Bills defense that ranks as the 13th-best RB matchup per our adjusted fantasy points allowed.
With RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) sidelined, Patriots RB Ezekiel Elliott got workhorse usage in Thursday night's win over the Steelers. Zeke played 91% of New England's offensive snaps and handled a whopping 30 of 32 RB opportunities. (RB Ty Montgomery got two targets.) Elliott didn't find much running room but compiled 68 yards on his 22 carries. He was much more effective as a receiver, catching seven of eight targets for 72 yards and the game's first TD. The end result was 140 total yards and the score, which will surely make Elliott a top-12 fantasy RB on the week. It's worth noting that the Patriots played with the lead for 56 minutes of this game, helping Elliott's volume. We can't expect that going forward. But with this type of playing time and opportunity share, Zeke looks like at least a weekly RB2 until Stevenson returns, which is unlikely to happen for at least another game or two.
Patriots RB Ezekiel Elliott (thigh) is active for today’s game vs. the Chargers. Elliott sunk to a season-low 22% snap rate coming off the bye last week and would be a desperation Week 13 fantasy start.
Patriots RB Ezekiel Elliott (thigh) is expected to play vs. the Chargers today, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Elliott registered a season-low 22% snap rate coming off the bye last week. He'd be a desperation Week 13 fantasy play.
Patriots RB Ezekiel Elliott (thigh) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game vs. the Chargers. We've heard nothing to suggest that Zeke is in danger of missing this one. But the thigh injury is just more reason to believe that RB Rhamondre Stevenson will control backfield work again this weekend.
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