What to expect from Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson as a rookie

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Editor’s note: This is the second story in a 10-part series looking at the most intriguing New England Patriots players ahead of training camp.

Previously: Efton Chism

The Patriots’ biggest needs entering the NFL Draft were well known. They needed a left tackle, which they got with No. 4 pick Will Campbell. They also needed a wide receiver, which many around the league assumed they’d take in the second round.

But the Pats threw a bit of a curveball with the 38th pick. Instead of a wideout for Drake Maye, they went with running back TreVeyon Henderson, even after signing veteran Rhamondre Stevenson to an extension less than one year earlier.

Still, the message was clear. The Patriots’ decision-makers felt they needed to add juice to an offense that has been the NFL’s least explosive the last three years (defined by passes of more than 12 yards and rushes of more than 8). So they went with Henderson, a speedy, big-play back out of Ohio State, even though there wasn’t much of a need at the position, even though this year’s draft class was rich in running backs and even though the position has been devalued in recent years.

So, is the move going to work? Was it wise to grab a back so early? And how much can Henderson help jump-start a sluggish offense? Let’s dive in.

TreVeyon Henderson has a special reason for wearing No. 32 🫶@patriots | @TreVeyonH4 pic.twitter.com/jcrdO8MXP9

— NFL (@NFL) June 3, 2025

History

Henderson grew up just south of Richmond, Va., and began his high school football career focused on defensive back (notching three interceptions as a sophomore). He was good enough there that he had Division I scholarship offers to play defense.

But Henderson moved to running back as a junior and broke school records, going for 2,424 rushing yards on 198 carries (12.2 average) and 45 touchdowns in 15 games, all while still playing in the secondary. That made him a five-star prospect and the top-ranked running back recruit in his class. He didn’t play as a high school senior due to the pandemic and chose Ohio State over Oklahoma.

With the Buckeyes, Henderson set freshman records (1,560 total yards and 19 touchdowns in 13 games) before dealing with a pair of injuries in the ensuing two seasons that kept him out of eight games.

As Ohio State loaded up its roster last season for an eventual national-title run, coaches approached Henderson to see if he’d be OK with them adding a big-time transfer running back (Quinshon Judkins). Henderson approved the move even though it meant fewer carries for him, but the decreased workload kept him fresh (he averaged a career-best 7.1 yards per carry).

Offseason recap

Stevenson missed multiple practices this spring while mourning the death of his father. That opened the door for Henderson to get more snaps with the first-team offense.

From the first practice, it was clear just how different Henderson is from the rest of the New England backs (and, frankly, the offense as a whole). He has blazing speed (4.43-second 40) and big-play ability, traits Stevenson just doesn’t offer (he ran a 4.64-second 40 in 2021).

Henderson also spent some time this spring working as a kick returner.

X-factor

As with any running back, Henderson’s health will be central to how successful he is in the NFL. As a sophomore in college, he suffered a broken foot, which eventually required surgery and kept him out for five games. The next season, he missed three more games due to an undisclosed injury. He’s a bit undersized for a running back (5 feet 10, 202 pounds), which could be a factor in his ability to stay healthy.

This season, Henderson’s health shouldn’t be too much of an issue since he’ll split carries with Stevenson. But in the future, he’ll need to prove he can stay healthy.

Reasons for optimism

Let’s start with the obvious. Henderson brings energy to the Patriots offense that it hasn’t had in years. He’s a home run threat every time he touches the ball. He can make plays as a receiver or beat a linebacker to the corner and bolt for 40 yards. That’s a dynamic New England just hasn’t had.

But Henderson isn’t just a speed back. His hands are legit (he had 77 catches in college), and he showed that off with some impressive grabs during spring practices. Plus, despite his size, Henderson is a tough and nasty pass blocker who can bully blitzing linebackers, which is an important trait behind what could be a shaky offensive line.

Reasons for concern

We’ve gone over the injury history. The other potential reason for concern is that it’s still unknown how good he can be between the tackles and whether he can be a true bell-cow back instead of just a good third-down back. A great third-down back would help the offense, sure. But you generally don’t draft those guys 38th.

So, Henderson’s development as a runner between the tackles will go a long way toward determining his success. This season, he probably won’t have to do a ton of it, particularly if Stevenson gets the majority of the early-down carries. But for this draft pick to be worth it, Henderson needs to improve as a between-the-tackles rusher as he presumably takes on a bigger role in the years to come.

What to watch in camp

This isn’t exactly going out on a limb, but Henderson might be the most exciting player for Patriots fans to watch in camp. His pace is unlike anything else the team has on offense, and it’s frankly astounding how quickly he gets to top speed.

Defenses around the league have done more schematically to take away big passes, including playing with two deep safeties. Offenses like the Patriots’ are now betting that an improved running game can take advantage of those schemes, and that a big-play back can make a defense pay if it plays shell coverages.

Will it work? We’ll see. The New England offensive line is still just OK, which complicates that plan. But if Henderson can find some explosive rushes, that could really open up the play-action game for Maye.

(Photo: Eric Canha / Imagn Images)

This news was originally published on this post .

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