Patriots rookies could steal Travis Hunter’s thunder in 2025 spotlight race

Jun 9, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams (18) and New England Patriots wide receiver Jeremiah Webb (29) walk to the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams (18) and New England Patriots wide receiver Jeremiah Webb (29) walk to the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

There's a lot of hype circulating in the NFL about Jacksonville rookie Travis Hunter, who is viewed as the same two-way star he was in college. But being such a player, especially as a rookie, carries a lot of weight, and fortunately, that's something Patriots' first-year players TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams aren't saddled with.

Even though both players had outstanding minicamps and are viewed as home-run draft picks, Bleacher Report still isn't buying it. When listing six players with the potential to be more dynamic than Hunter as a rookie, Brent Sobelski didn't include Williams or Henderson.

That's somewhat of a surprise, especially when it comes to Henderson, who has had a lot of hype surrounding him coming out of Ohio State. The only running back and wide receiver to crack Sobelski's list were Ashton Jeanty and Tre Harris.

Patriots' top rookies have the potential to be bigger spark plugs than Travis Hunter

One advantage the Patriots' rookies may have over Hunter is that they don't have the high expectations saddled upon them. Hunter is going to be asked to play a lot of snaps with the Jaguars, while Henderson and Williams have depth around them.

That doesn't mean the Patriots won't need their first-year players to excel if they want to make a strong ascent up the AFC, given the questions surrounding their offense. But both guys have established veterans like Rhamondre Stevenson and Stefon Diggs to learn from, while Hunter's Jaguars are still a very young team.

You could also argue that Henderson could have better longevity than Jeanty, who carried a lot of load at Boise State and is expected to do the same in Las Vegas, given the Raiders aren't likely to have a potent passing attack. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Patriots' first-year back battling Hunter and Jeanty for Offensive Rookie of the Year nods by the end of the season.

As for Williams, he's not going to be counted upon to be the Patriots' No. 1 receiver the way Hunter is in Jacksonville. Diggs is clearly on pace to be that guy for New England with DeMario Douglas a possible No. 2. That leaves Williams to compete and be a strong X-type option for Drake Maye who can be asked to stretch the field as much as attack the sticks.

Williams and Henderson may not be as talented as Hunter, but they don't have the expectations he does, and that could mean a better rookie season for the Patriots' duo.

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