Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley's Instant Fantasy Reaction After Week 1

Assessing Bill Belichick's running back usage is typically not the best idea. The New England Patriots head coach has become famous for juggling his runners between possessions—at times benching players who were 20-carry guys a week prior.   

But in the ever-feeble attempt at figuring out the hierarchy, it seems Shane Vereen has established himself as the slightly better option than Stevan Ridley. Vereen scored New England's first touchdown of 2014 on a two-yard gain in the first quarter of Sunday's 33-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

He finished the game with seven carries for 36 yards while adding 35 yards through the air on five receptions. 

Used mostly as a pass-catcher in his first two seasons, Vereen's role is expected to expand in 2014. He received five touches on New England's first drive to three for Ridley, whose role with the team was up in the air throughout the preseason. Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston reported Ridley was on the cut line due to his continued fumbling problems before he ultimately made the 53-man roster.

Because of Belichick's history with running backs, it's hard to ever know which player to trust. The Patriots ran the ball only 20 times compared to 55 pass attempts from Tom Brady, so there's not much we can glean from Sunday's loss in Miami. Ridley carried the ball one more time than Vereen, but he gained 21 yards and was targeted twice in the passing game. 

Vereen or Ridley could score three touchdowns one week and then lose the goal-line opportunities a week later; there's really no predictability in this situation.

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

As it stands, though, Vereen is the guy you want if forced to start a Patriots running back. He doesn't have Ridley's expansive fumbling history and is the more versatile talent. Even if Vereen isn't getting into the end zone, he's going to compile yardage thanks to the sheer number of his touches. He's at the very least a flex play in points-per-reception leagues.

In eight games last season, Vereen made 47 receptions. Despite the presence of an apparently healthy Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots' offense is not suddenly going to become a downfield attack. Gronkowski is also going to be limited in the snaps he plays for at least part of the season, so his effect on the running backs should be minimal. Vereen is going to have value going forward; Ridley's is much too dependent on his production as a rusher.

Both are ownable in all formats and should be picked up if they're somehow on the waiver wire. If Vereen is actually going to get the goal-line carries all season, though, he might wind up emerging. Just don't bank your season on it. 

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