Quality running backs are often a lost commodity in today's NFL, given the pass-first nature of the game. But the running game remains an essential factor in an offense, and the Patriots clearly wanted to address that area in the offseason.
With a rare blend of strength, speed, and ability to run and pass, TreVeyon Henderson was billed by many as a first-round talent heading into this spring's draft. With the Patriots expected to take Will Campbell with the fourth overall pick, many fans believed Henderson would be long gone by the time the team's next selection came up early in the second round.
But the Ohio State product was still there, and Eliot Wolf snatched him up quickly, the fourth running back taken in the draft. Henderson made his presence felt quickly this preseason, taking a kickoff 101 yards to the house the first time he put his hands on the ball in a game.
Even though Ashton Jeanty (Raiders), Omarion Hampton (Chargers), and Quinshon Judkins (Browns) were all taken ahead of Henderson, Wolf is looking like he hit a home run and outsmarted the rest of the league by snatching Henderson.
TreVeyon Henderson will be the biggest steal of the 2025 NFL Draft
While that is a bold statement to make after a couple of preseason games, Henderson is the type of player who fits Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels' schemes to a T.
Henderson is off to a far better start than Jeanty, who struggled in his preseason opener to the tune of three carries for minus-1 yards. While Jeanty bounced back some in the Raiders' second game (seven carries, 33 yards, TD), Henderson's upside looks far better. Hampton, the only other back taken in the first round, has 21 yards on four carries. Judkins has yet to see the field for Cleveland.
The X-factor is that Henderson was part of a two-back rotation with Judkins at Ohio State, while Boise State relied heavily on Jeanty, so Henderson is entering the league with far more tread on his tires than Jeanty. That's vital given how the shelf life for running backs is lower than any other position on the field.
The Patriots have one preseason game left, and now that they know what Henderson can do, he shouldn't play a down in the finale. He fits the way New England wants to play a physical blend of football to set up the passing game, and Henderson's ability to pass-protect is a lost art among running backs today.
The rest of the league will regret letting Henderson fall to the Patriots. He's going to be a superstar in this league, and the way he's run the ball this preseason is only the appetizer for what's to come.