It never hurts to have thunder and lightning at your disposal when it comes to explosive backfields in the NFL. And if all goes well for the Patriots this season, they could very well have a turbocharged backfield.
Rhamondre Stevenson can bring the thunder, but lacks the explosiveness to get the lightning. His fumbling problems have also come to light in the last couple of seasons, which are two significant factors that led New England to draft Ohio State tailback TreVeyon Henderson in the second round.
Henderson was highly billed as a big-play guy during his time in Columbus, and it surprised this writer that he fell to the Patriots at No. 38 overall. I thought he would come off the board late in the first round, and he was sitting there for New England to pluck early in the second, and Eliot Wolf and Mike Vrabel may very well have struck gold.
TreVeyon Henderson should provide the Patriots' backfield with instant offense
Drake Maye finally has playmakers at his disposal, and Henderson is arguably one of the biggest. According to ESPN's Field Yates, Henderson is one of the players drafted after the first round who will likely make a significant impact as a rookie.
Henderson was ranked fifth among Yates' most impactful offensive players picked in rounds 2-7. Only Tyler Shough (Saints), R.J. Harvey (Broncos), Jonah Savaiinaea (Dolphins), and Quinshon Judkins (Browns) slotted ahead of Henderson. Judkins, like Stevenson, is a power back, and Henderson and Judkins complemented each other well at Ohio State.
In placing Henderson in the top five, Yates said, "Henderson is one of the most explosive players in the rookie class, and he will be a big-time factor on third down in New England because of his pass-catching and pass-protecting traits."
Henderson is a big reason the Patriots secured many high grades in this year's draft and arguably the best value out of any team in the league. Henderson is the type of hybrid back—a great runner and a great receiver—that is essential to success in the way the game is played today, especially in a Josh McDaniels offense.
New England hasn't had a valuable backfield threat on third down since James White was Tom Brady's safety valve. If the Patriots get the explosive, home-run threat that Henderson was at Ohio State, the offense will be in good shape for years to come.