The Mike Vrabel era has brought out the best in some New England Patriots who were on the roster when he arrived, like Drake Maye. He's also added numerous other top players, as well.
Perhaps the best of the bunch is second-round pick former Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson. And after an impressive rookie season, he's being recognized as a player on the precipise of a breakout season.
Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport listed five NFL running backs poised for breakout seasons, and Henderson is No. 3 on his list after exploding onto the scene in the second half of 2025 and making major dents in opposing defenses.
Henderson's playing time was limited early on due to faulty coaching decisions. That's the only reason he didn't easily shatter the 1000-yard rushing mark.
Bleacher Report has touted TreVeyon Henderson as a 2026 breakout star
Bleacher Report's Davenport sees five running backs positioned for breakout seasons. Henderson, along with Ashton Jeanty of Las Vegas, Omarion Hampton of the LA Chargers, Cam Skattebo of the Giants, and Bhayshul Tuten of Jacksonville, round out the list. It's great company.
It's no shock or surprise to see Henderson touted as an emerging force in the Patriots' offense. Coupled with a maturing Maye and the additions of superstar wideout A.J. Brown and solid free agent receiver Romeo Doubs, the Patriots' offense could be a veritable freight train.
Davenport comments on the Henderson stratospheric 2026 upside.
"TreVeyon Henderson had an up-and-down rookie season. On one hand, he topped 1,100 total yards and averaged over five yards per carry. Per SI's Eva Geitheim, he ranked fifth in the NFL among qualified running backs in EPA per attempt (plus-.03) and 10th in rushing yards over expected per carry, according to Next Gen Stats.
On the other hand, Henderson's struggles in pass protection and as a receiver out of the backfield led to the Ohio State product spending most of the season playing second fiddle to Rhamondre Stevenson in the New England backfield. He played just 46 percent of the Pats' offensive snaps...
As Henderson improves as a player, he's going to earn a larger share of the backfield work in New England. And if that larger share comes sooner rather than later, look out."
Davenport also cited Henderson saying that he's working on his pass-catching and blocking this offseason. The pass-catching aspect makes perfect sense. The rookie caught 35 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown in 2025. In addition to his 911 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns, Henderson had a terrific rookie season.
In 2026, the team's objectives for the player should be crystal clear. One is to let him run to daylight on every carry or reception. In 2025, he had four touchdown runs of over 50 yards. If he can add that explosiveness to his pass-catching game, he'll be a dual-threat no NFL defense will want to face.
Conversely, any time he spends on blocking is a waste of time and effort.
Henderson's game is exploding through gaps as a threat to take any carry or catch to the house. His duties should be centered there. The Patriots signed fullback Reggie Gilliam to block, and they still have big back Rhamondre Stevenson to throw his weight around. Henderson should be tasked only to try to run to daylight on every possession.
Anything else, e.g. blocking, is altogether too risky, and a total waste of his abilities.
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