The 2025 Draft was expected to be when the Patriots favored offensive players to surround quarterback Drake Maye after a defensively heavy free agency. They did just that by selecting left tackle Will Campbell in the first round and wide receiver Kyle Williams in the third, with the most unexpected pick being Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson in the second.
The backfield was not anticipated to be a group that would be addressed through the draft, as Rhamondre Stevenson was expected to continue being the starter, along with Antonio Gibson as the RB2. However, with a talent like Henderson still on the board, Mike Vrabel and Co. couldn't pass him up, even denying trades from teams wanting to take him instead.
Henderson was immediately deemed a potential day one starter who could give Gibson and Stevenson a run for their money (literally and figuratively). He has received a lot of praise for the kind of player he is, with impressive comps to match, and the latest one only affirms the Patriots' decision to pick him even more.
TreVeyon Henderson continues to be compared to some of the all time running back greats of the NFL
If there was any doubt about the Patriots choosing to take a running back in the second round, the past month of high praise from various analysts surely puts any concerns to bed, with the latest coming from NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell.
While discussing this year's draft class with Boston Sports Journal's Greg Bedard, Cosell broke down what he likes most about Henderson. He noted his pass protection as perhaps his best skill set while emphasizing his explosiveness on the field. He then compared him to Eagles' great Brian Westbrook, a two-time Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro, to excite Patriots fans about Henderson's potential even more.
"One of my favorite guys in the draft. And you know why he was one of my favorite guys, and I guarantee for Mike Vrabel, this meant something, and it might have meant a lot. I thought he was the best pass protection back in the draft, hands down.
This guy is a man when it comes to pass protection, and we all know he's explosive. I mean, it's funny. I came away watching him, and this might be crazy. You'll remember this because you've been around for a few years, like I have. Maybe younger fans won't remember this. I came away feeling that they were kind of shades of Brian Westbrook in his game because he's explosive."
This is exactly the kind of player the Patriots needed to add to the offense this offseason, and they're fortunate that Henderson fell into their laps in the second round. He wasn't on anyone's radar as a fit for New England, mostly due to the running back room appearing solid as it was, but it's hard to argue that it was a bad move to draft him after Cosell's comp.
Because of his experience in the passing game, Drake Maye will also have another impressive weapon to work with in his second season. That could make it up to those who were disappointed that they passed on a wide receiver until the third round, plus Henderson's blocking is another bonus for an improving offensive line.
That should settle any debate and get fans more excited about what's to come, as if the start of the Mike Vrabel era needed any more hype than it has already received.