It’s secure to say that issues want to vary for the New England Patriots on offense, as they ranked at or close to the underside in main offensive classes in 2024. Having performed from behind usually final season, their offense grew to become too one-sided, ensuing of their lopsided stats and document.
Whereas quarterback Drake Maye confirmed loads of promise, the offense struggled throughout the board. It was the speeding sport that slowed issues down for New England. Rhamondre Stevenson had a career-worst seven fumbles on his technique to his worst yards per carry common (3.87) in his profession, paving the best way for the Patriots to draft Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson within the 2025 NFL Draft.
A failed long-term funding in Rhamondre Stevenson
Purchaser’s regret is probably going a frequent time period being thrown round by the New England entrance workplace after inking Stevenson to a four-year extension in June 2024. Coming off a season the place he was solely wholesome for 12 video games, Stevenson didn’t appear like the longer term at working again for the Patriots, and but the workforce nonetheless handed him a long-term deal.
Flash ahead to this offseason, and it’s clear that each Stevenson and Henderson can have roles within the working sport in 2025. The ball-security points seemingly will weigh closely on Stevenson’s workload, so so long as Henderson can maintain onto the ball, he ought to earn a leg up within the backfield race.
Henderson is the smaller of the 2 backs, as he’s shorter and much slimmer than Stevenson, however you couldn’t inform that from watching sport movie. The previous Buckeye is a bodily runner who seeks out contact when assembly defenders. That fashion of play ought to excite head coach Mike Vrabel, as he appears to return the franchise to being a bodily presence within the AFC East.
Excessive expectations for TreVeyon Henderson in 2025
Maye is an apparent breakout candidate, as he’s getting into his second season and must construct off of an up-and-down rookie marketing campaign. However Henderson can really unlock one other component of this offense, particularly contemplating how maligned the receiver group stays.
Even with the seemingly combo of Henderson and Stevenson being rolled out to begin the 12 months, it might be a shock to not see the previous take over extra of the workload because the season progresses. The Patriots didn’t use a second-round choice on a backup working again, so he’ll seemingly see the sphere early on.
In his time at Ohio State, Henderson teamed up with fellow rookie again Quinshon Judkins within the Buckeye backfield, with Henderson averaging over seven yards per keep on his technique to speeding for over 1,000 yards. His collegiate productions should not be pushed apart, as he confirmed he was able to holding down a big workload in each areas of the offense.
Outdoors of Las Vegas Raiders star rookie Ashton Jeanty, Henderson might need probably the most expertise again from this incoming rookie class. Seldom talked about in the identical group as Jeanty and Los Angeles Chargers rookie Omarion Hampton talent-wise, Henderson enters the NFL as among the best receiving backs in his class, which can assist him earn early snaps.
The Patiots’ offensive success depends on Henderson
When wanting on the Patriots’ offensive depth chart for the 2025 NFL season, the receiver group fails to encourage a ton of confidence. Outdoors of including Stefon Diggs, it’s largely the identical group that struggled final season. Plus, contemplating they are going to seemingly be enjoying from behind in a lot of their contests this coming season, this can once more put a fair heavier accountability on the shoulders of Maye.
With the intention to extra evenly distribute the offensive workload, the working again room must step up. Stevenson took an enormous step backward in his means to be the principle man final 12 months, so in steps Henderson with a golden alternative to change into that man. Whereas his speeding workload may be a bit powerful to foretell on a weekly foundation, he ought to see sufficient of a constant workload catching passes that can assist him earn the belief of the teaching workers.
Early takeaways from coaching camp present that Henderson is already making his presence felt, particularly within the passing sport. If Stevenson’s receiving workload is any signal of what will be anticipated for Henderson, a 35-40 reception season will assist unlock this offense. With offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels again on the town, anticipate the working again utilization within the passing sport to solely go up.
Each workforce treats rookies otherwise, particularly those that play offensive talent positions. By all accounts, Vrabel is old fashioned with regards to roster choices, so Henderson gained’t be handed something however a jersey along with his identify on the again of it. However the Patriots teaching workers clearly loves what he brings to the roster, and he’s the important thing to unlocking the subsequent stage for this offense.