Rhamondre Stevenson's future as a New England Patriot has been the topic of discussion this offseason. The discourse has ranged from the Patriots taking Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty at No. 4 to finding Stevenson's potential replacement on day two.
New England did indeed draft a running back with its first selection of the second round, making Ohio State speedster TreVeyon Henderson the No. 38 overall pick. Ironically, it's the same number 38 that Stevenson wears for the Pats because it could be the best thing that's happened to him in his career.
Had the Patriots gone with Jeanty or another power back, such as Quinshon Judkins (who went to Cleveland two picks before at No. 36), the writing might have been on the wall for Stevenson. Speaking of Judkins, he was the thunder to Henderson's lightning for the national champion Ohio State Buckeyes in 2024.
Judkins (1,060 yards and 14 TDs) and Henderson (1,016 yards and 10 TDs) virtually split duties down the middle. Where Judkins got the heavier load with 194 carries to Henderson's 144 carries, we could see a similar dynamic between Stevenson and Henderson.
The pairing of TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson could reap a bigger reward than initially imagined
"Mondre" is known to be able to carry the load and wear defenses down, averaging a solid 4.3 yards per carry for his career. On the other hand, Henderson is an absolute home run hitter who averaged an electric 7.1 yards per carry with a run of at least 20 yards in nine of Ohio State's 16 games in 2024.
That's the "lightning" - if you will. His most memorable play came in the passing game, a 75-yard catch and run on a screen pass for the game-breaking touchdown to close the half against Texas and set the tone in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
TREVEYON HENDERSON 75 YARDS TO THE HOUSE, WOW‼️
— ESPN (@espn) January 11, 2025
Ohio State immediately answers after Texas' TD. pic.twitter.com/a0OdS0eORK
Stevenson has had high expectations ever since rushing for 1,040 yards and five touchdowns in 2022, his second year for the Pats. He has yet to regain that form, but you could argue he has to carry too much of a load in a league that is now more running back by committee, and it is no secret that the Patriots have had a multitude of struggles on the offensive line.
The Ezekiel Elliott experiment in 2023 had limited success, and Stevenson's current running mate, Antonio Gibson, had an admirable 538 yards in 2024.
But the addition of the explosive Henderson, combined with the Patriots' selection of offensive tackle Will Campbell with the fourth overall pick could truly take the running game to the next level and go a long way in taking the burden off of Stevenson, letting him ease back into his comfort zone of overpowering worn-down defenses.