Running Back 11 – Rhamondre Stevenson NE
There are plenty of neigh sayers to Stevenson’s 2023 fantasy ceiling, and the New England Patriots signing Ezekiel Elliott brought even more. However Stevenson has shown to be a productive in a running back (RB) by committee (RBBC), and has a skill set that makes him useful on all three downs. Stevenson’s ADP is currently falling as well, all the way to RB 30 in some formats. That should never happen. R. Stevenson had 6 touchdowns, 1,040 rushing yards and an outstanding 69 receptions (not bad for a RB) and did it all in only 7 games started. That was good enough for eleventh overall RB of 2022.
Even with E. Elliott in the backfield, Stevenson will be the lead back and see over his 279 touches of last season. New Offensive Coordinator Bill O’Brien has worked with Mac Jones at Alabama University and will improve the Patriot passing attack. This will remove an eighth man coming into the box which will help Stevenson’s yards per carry. The one flaw in Stevenson’s game was a lack of touchdown production. With Bill O’Brien the Patriots will improve on their 21.4 points per game, which should increase Stevenson’s touchdowns as well. A stat line of 9 touchdowns, 1,600 scrimmage yards, and 50+ receptions is more than achievable for the third year Sooner. Go grab Stevenson at an incredible bargain.

Linebacker 11 – TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith PIT
How did two linebackers (LB) end up at the same ranking? They will both produce at a high level this season. TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith are sometimes designated as defensive ends and sometimes as LBs. H. Reddick ranked at 25 in Mano y Mano is also an example of dual designation, and while they are rockstar defensive ends, they are still LB 1s in dual designation formats. A. Highsmith was paid as ‘The Man’ this offseason and his numbers last year validate it. He started every game (for a second straight season), earned 63 tackles, 20 QB Hits, 14.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and a league leading 5 forced fumbles. Despite those numbers he did not receive an All-Pro or a Pro-bowl nomination. He did this with TJ Watt missing seven games too.
TJ Watt is an IDP legend, and has been selected to five straight Pro-Bowls. Watt has led the league in sacks and tackles for loss twice. He led the league in forced fumbles in 2019 and has won one Defensive Player of the Year award, and it should have been back-to-back wins. He is a household name even for fantasy football managers who do not play IDP. It is not a coincidence that quarterback K. Pickett’s play improved, and the Steelers starting winning when Watt returned on week 10. Without question this is the best pass rushing duo in the league and it wouldn’t be surprising for them to have a combined 35 sacks on the season! That is over two sacks per game. They will both finish as LB 1s if they stay healthy and produce at the level they are capable of. Grab either and feel great about it, but Watt will be much more expensive than Highsmith.

Thank you for reading Mano y Mano. Check in tomorrow for RB & LB #10.
Bet Smart, Be Lucky – Iggy

*Stats come from FantasyPros, Pro Football Reference, Sleeper, Statmuse, and NFL/Next Gen.
*Rankings are based on .5 PPR format and FF7s.