The New England Patriots had high hopes for TreVeyon Henderson last season, but they took a slow approach with their second-round pick. Still, he amassed over 1,100 total yards, scored 10 touchdowns, and showed enough promise to keep fans in good graces.
Fast forward to today, and he hasn't broken out as most fans expected. He also hasn't shown much improvement in pass blocking for Drake Maye, perhaps the biggest knock on him coming out of Ohio State.
Nevertheless, he's still fared much better than some of his peers. As Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport notes, he's been the second-best second-year running back, trailing only Raiders star Ashton Jeanty, who was taken more than 30 picks before him.
The New England Patriots must stay patient with TreVeyon Henderson
Just because he hasn't turned into the second coming of Adrian Peterson doesn't mean Henderson isn't a baller. Even though he's averaging fewer yards per carry this season (3.9), he has a rare combination of acceleration and explosiveness in this league.
Henderson's ability to turn the corner and put defenders in skates is second to none. The Patriots continue to trust Rhamondre Stevenson despite his ball-security issues, so why not show the second-year running back the same energy?
He's not to blame for missing time earlier in the season, and it's hard to judge a running back when the team has had to field a makeshift offensive line due to injuries. That said, he doesn't deserve a pass, but it's way too early to count him out.
Some players need more time to figure things out. Despite his flaws, Henderson is a one-play drive waiting to happen, and he's picked up huge gains whenever he's been heavily involved in the offense. It's just a matter of trust and getting more reps.
Unfortunately, his ceiling will always be capped as long as Stevenson is also in the picture. Josh McDaniels insists on splitting the workload, and while some of that is due to Henderson's inability to pass-block, the Patriots aren't doing him any favors, either.
The Patriots' offense is still a work in progress, and that's not entirely on their second-year running back. Rome wasn't built in a day, and Henderson's big-play ability should get him the benefit of the doubt, at least until the end of the season. It's not like the team is losing games because of him.
Let's give him time.
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