TreVeyon Henderson, the former Ohio State speedster, enters the NFL as he was one of the most intriguing running backs of the 2025 draft. But here’s the kicker—we’re talking about a player who has “breakaway run” written all over him, yet finds himself with the New England Patriots, a franchise that hasn’t exactly been fantasy running back-friendly in recent years. Cue the suspense…
You want to know the good, the bad, and the ugly about Henderson? Grab a cup of coffee and sit tight, because we’re about to break it all down.
Why TreVeyon Henderson is a Big Deal
Let’s start with the fact that Henderson’s speed isn’t just fast; it’s “blink-and-you’ll-miss-him” fast. According to PFF’s tracking data, he ranks among the top 20 fastest running backs in college football over the last eight seasons. Translation? Give this man even a sliver of open field, and he’ll punish defenses faster than you can say “touchdown.”
But Henderson isn’t just a one-trick speed pony. This guy thrives in gap-blocking schemes, earning an absurd 96.3 career grade on gap plays. Yes, that’s elite—even by NFL standards. His ability to slice through defenses with precision should have Patriots fans daydreaming about 60-yard house calls.
Oh, and did I mention he can catch? Sure, he wasn’t exactly used like Christian McCaffrey at Ohio State, but when he was targeted, he delivered. With Henderson on third downs, the Patriots could finally have a legitimate receiving weapon out of the backfield. That sound you hear? That’s Bill Belichick grinning somewhere in Foxborough.
The Not-So-Great Stuff
Now, before we break out the champagne, it’s worth pointing out that Henderson’s road to NFL stardom might be…well, a bit bumpy. Why? Because he landed in the Patriots’ backfield. And if you know anything about New England’s approach to deploying running backs, you’re probably rolling your eyes already.
This isn’t your traditional “featured back” setup. New England has a long history of committee backfields, often leaving fantasy managers tearing their hair out. Oh, and good luck predicting goal-line carries. Big backs like Rhamondre Stevenson will probably snag most of those. Yes, the dreaded vulture situation is in full effect.
Then there’s the Patriots’ offensive line, which last year recorded the NFL’s lowest yards-before-contact average. Ouch. While they have made some offseason moves to improve this (hello, Will Campbell), it’s unlikely the line goes from “hot mess” to “elite” overnight.
The cold, hard truth? Henderson might become the NFL equivalent of a sports car stuck in traffic. The potential is there for big plays, but the volume and supporting conditions could hold him back in 2025.
Henderson’s Projected Role in New England
Alright, so what can we expect? Based on current projections, Henderson’s going to be the shiny new toy for Josh McDaniels, New England’s returning offensive coordinator. Expect him to make an immediate impact on third downs, where his speed and receiving ability can shine. Think James White from a few years ago, but with more explosiveness.
On early downs? That’s murky. Rhamondre Stevenson owns first-down work while Antonio Gibson remains an early-down option. Even in the passing game, the snap share could be a close split. It’s a crowded backfield, and Henderson will need to claw for his touches.
The one sugar-coated perk here? McDaniels’ play-calling system historically leans heavily on gap schemes, which happens to be Henderson’s bread and butter. If he gets even a semblance of blocking, expect fireworks.
Impact of the Coaching and Offensive Line
Josh McDaniels loves himself a committee system, folks. Over his 18-year career, only one back (yes, one) led his team in both carries and third-down snaps for a full season. Spoiler alert: none of the current Patriots RBs are Steven Jackson-level talents, so don’t expect the script to flip now.
On the bright side, New England’s historically creative offense could still grant Henderson plenty of opportunities to make splash plays. If the Patriots can improve even slightly in the blocking department, those big-play opportunities Henderson thrives on might come a little more often.
Bottom Line
TreVeyon Henderson is the NFL equivalent of a lottery ticket. His raw speed and ability to dominate gap plays make him one of the most exciting rookies in his class. But his fantasy outlook? That depends on whether the Patriots’ backfield committee chaos lets him breathe. If Josh McDaniels shakes up his usual play-calling tendencies (good luck with that), Henderson’s ceiling could make him a steal not just for New England, but for fantasy managers everywhere.
Until then, fantasy drafters may have to tread cautiously. Henderson has elite potential but will need favorable game scripts and injuries to competitors (sorry, Rhamondre) to truly thrive.
It’s a classic case of talent versus opportunity. And for TreVeyon Henderson, we’re all just waiting to see who wins out.
