The New England Patriots' 2025 draft class was one of their most immediately impactful in recent memory. Will Campbell, TreVeyon Henderson, Kyle Williams, Jared Wilson, and Craig Woodson all played major roles, while they also found their kicker of the future in Andy Borregales on Day 3.
The impact these rookies had tailed off in the playoffs, except Woodson, but that shouldn't be a reason to write any of them off heading into 2026. Despite a more difficult schedule, a full offseason to work together and the addition of several important veterans are encouraging for New England.
While most fans are excited about the team's prospects heading into the 2026 season, ESPN's Mike Clay has a more pessimistic view of a key piece to New England's success in 2025.
TreVeyon Henderson's production is predicted to dip in 2026
Clay predicts Henderson will take 202 carries for 888 yards and seven touchdowns next season. That's an increase in carries compared to '25, but a decrease in yards and touchdowns compared to his rookie regular season.
A sophomore slump is a possibility, but expecting Henderson to eclipse 1,000 yards is far from a ridiculous expectation. He took 10+ carries only once in his first seven games, averaging just 21.9 yards per outing during that time, with just 3.6 yards per carry. In his next ten games, he averaged 75.8 yards per game, while his yards per carry shot up to 5.5. 9 of his 10 total touchdowns came during the last ten weeks.
The Patriots' line is improved, at least on paper, compared to 2025. Tackles Will Campbell and Morgan Moses are once again the projected starters, but Jared Wilson makes the move to his more natural center position following an up-and-down rookie campaign.
Alijah Vera-Tucker was the marquee free agent addition to pair with Mike Onwenu at guard. Caleb Lomu was selected in the first round, and he'll operate as a swing tackle in his rookie season.
Despite that line improvement, it doesn't necessarily mean Henderson's improvement is a given. Rhamondre Stevenson's emergence after the bye week means he'll likely remain a major piece to Josh McDaniels' plans in 2026, while Henderson's production hit a major roadblock in the playoffs, as he totaled just 76 rushing yards across four games on just 2.5 yards per carry.
The argument for TreVeyon Henderson's emergence
Henderson hype ahead of the 2026 season shouldn't come as a surprise. His last ten games of the regular season were fantastic, and while New England's entire running game improved in the latter half of the year, he showed the ability to be a home run hitter time and time again.
Henderson's boom or bust rushing style means he'll need a power back to spell him in order to have the most success. He and Stevenson could end up as a budget Sonic and Knuckles (Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery) in 2026.
Gibbs broke out after a rookie year that saw him take two more carries than Henderson did this season for a nearly identical YPC. The 2024 season saw him total over 1,400 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
McDaniels' offense has historically featured the use of multiple backs, but Henderson and Stevenson are among his most talented duos to date. Time will tell if the ex-Buckeye can live up to expectations, but there's certainly good reason for hyping up the young star.
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