Patriots draft profile: Audric Estimé is a freight train masquerading as a running back

The Notre Dame product is one of the better running backs in this year’s draft.

Quarterback, left tackle and X-wide receiver are the three most pressing needs on the New England Patriots’ offense — and their roster in general — at the moment. They are far from the only areas the team would be smart to address in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Even though it seems to be flying under the radar a bit, the running back position is another one that would benefit from some investments. Not only is Rhamondre Stevenson entering the final year of his rookie contract, the depth behind him especially as an early-down option also looks somewhat suspect.

Adding a developmental rotational running back would therefore make some sense for the Patriots, particularly early on Day 3. If they want to do so, they might not find a more appealing prospect than Audric Estimé.

Hard facts

Name: Audric Estimé

Position: Running back

School: Notre Dame

Opening day age: 21 (9/6/2003)

Measurements: 5’11 3/8”, 221 lbs, 76 1/2” wingspan, 32 3/8” arm length, 10 1/4” hand size, 4.71s 40-yard dash, 38” vertical jump, 10’5” broad jump, 23 bench press reps, 6.58 Relative Athletic Score

Experience

Career statistics: 37 games (14 starts) | 778 offensive snaps, 135 special teams snaps | 373 carries, 2,321 rushing yards (6.2 yards/carry), 29 TDs | 26 targets, 26 catches (100%), 277 receiving yards, 1 TD | 4 fumbles | 9 quarterback pressures surrendered (2 sacks, 2 hits, 5 hurries) | 1 kickoff return, 29 yards

Accolades: N/A

Coming off a massively productive high school career at St. Joseph Regional in Montvale, NJ — he averaged 169.2 yards and 2.1 touchdowns per game over his last two seasons — Estimé was rated a four-star recruit. He received several scholarship offers and eventually committed to Notre Dame.

A quiet freshman campaign in 2021 was followed by an impressive two-season run that saw him lead the Fighting Irish in rushing both years. While only listed as a starter in 14 of 25 total games between 2022 and 2023, he gained a combined 2,538 scrimmage yards during that time, and found the end zone 30 times. He subsequently decided to skip his senior season to try his luck in the NFL Draft.

Draft profile

Expected round: 4 | Consensus big board: No. 109 | Patriots meeting: N/A

Strengths: Measuring 5-foot-11, 221 pounds at the Combine, Estimé offers a sturdy build and his play looks the part. He doesn’t win with elite agility or speed, but rather with a mix of power, vision and an impressive contact balance that allows him to regularly run through tackle attempts. He ranked fourth in the FBS last season with 4.27 yards after contact, and through his punishing running style also forced 64 missed tackles along the way (17th).

Estimé, who has experience both in zone and gap schemes from his time at Notre Dame, is quick to the line of scrimmage but also possesses the necessary patience to let his blocks develop and set defenders up. In addition, he keeps his legs churning through contact to push the pile forward. He also has a vicious lateral cut as well as good burst through the hole, and some steady and deceptively dangerous speed once at the second level — especially considering how hard he is to bring down.

His muscular build and wide frame in combination with some big hands also allows him to be a factor as a pass protector. He was productive when asked to catch the football, something he did on all 26 of his targets in college (all of which coming in 2022 and 2023). He averaged 10.7. yards gained per reception, but actually had a yards-after-catch average of 11.3.

Weaknesses: As previously noted, Estimé is not the most agile running back and at times can look rather stiff and upright going through his cuts. He is not as decisive as you would like to see, which combined with his natural patience waiting for lanes to open up can lead to some negative plays against better opposition and/or behind a less-dominant offensive line.

Estimé additionally doesn’t offer high-end breakaway speed. His 4.71-second 40-yard time ranks in just the 10 percentile for running back prospects. His potential to be a big home-run hitter at the next level is limited versus NFL-caliber athletes. The same also might be true for his outlook in the passing game unless he improves his quickness when it comes to identifying and setting up his blocks, and his ability to be more than check-down option (he had a negative depth of target on his 26 college targets).

In addition, Estimé needs to keep improving his ball security. He reduced his fumbles from three to one between his sophomore and junior campaigns, but still needs to err on the side of caution more often than that positive development would suggest.

Patriots preview

What would be his role? Estimé projects as a physical early-down back early on in his career, and as such would help complement current RB1 Rhamondre Stevenson and receiving back Antonio Gibson in the New England backfield. He also has the makings of a potential wear-and-tear back in late-game situations, capable of bleeding the clock and grinding out tough yards.

What is his growth potential? While his role beyond 2024 would depend on Rhamondre Stevenson’s free agency outlook, Estimé has the makings of a future No. 1 backfield option if he can improve his ball security in particular. He also has room for growth as a passing game contributor — both as a receiver and blocker — even though it is unlikely he will be asked to become a three-down player anyway.

Does he have positional versatility? Despite having 26 catches on his college résumé, Estimé should not be seen as an all-round back or a player capable of making consistent contributions on late downs at this stage in his career. He could, however, provide value in the kicking game after being used on the kickoff return team and, to a lesser degree, the punt return and kickoff coverage squads at Notre Dame.

Why the Patriots? As noted above, the Patriots currently do not have any established early-down options behind Rhamondre Stevenson on their roster. Yes, it is possible Kevin Harris takes the next step, but his career so far does not necessarily point in that direction. Given the current state of the backfield, and Stevenson’s uncertain future, investing in Estimé as a complementary player with starter upside would make sense.

Why not the Patriots? The Patriots might be happy with what they have under contract. They also might prefer different, or more well-rounded, running back types under new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. Or they simply do not want to spend their fourth-round pick on Estimé, should he even be on the board still at that point in the draft.

One-sentence verdict: Estimé is a throwback running back who appears to be tailor-made for a team like the Patriots that is willing to place a premium on running the football.

What do you think about Audric Estimé as a potential Patriots target? A possible successor to Rhamondre Stevenson? Or not even worth bringing aboard? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.