The Football Media World is Breathlessly Awaiting the Arrival of TreVeyon Henderson, the Next Great Patriots Legend
With four days to go before kickoff of one of the most significant seasons in the 65 year history of the franchise, we're all wondering what we'll find under the silver ink of the scratch ticket that is the 2025 New England Patriots. And as we're poised to put the edge of the metaphorical nickel to this season, if you're not excited about at least one new addition to the roster, I pity you.
I mean, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic that the days of 4-13 are over and that Mike Vrabel has created a tough, disciplined, and competitive team. None more so than the arrival of TreVeyon Henderson. If he's not at or near of the top of your list of things to feel good about, then let me kindly, with all the love in my heart, suggest the last few years have made you dead inside and in need of serious counseling. Or to stop watching football altogether and just spend the fall going apple picking and leaf-peeping in Vermont. These Patriots will not be for your enjoyment.
Don't go by me. As I've admitted, I've had a bad run of backing the wrong Patriots horse these past few years. Especially when it comes to rookies.
My support has put more Pats jerseys on the Clearance rack in the Pro Shop than ACL tears and homicide combined and I don't want to get burned again. But if Henderson doesn't have a good career - in fact, if he doesn't have a great rookie season - than everything everyone knows is wrong.
Granted, there's been some hand-wringing over the fact he's listed as third string on the Pats "Unofficial Depth Chart." Which is willfully ignoring the meaning of that first word, and is put together by the digital team, not the coaching staff. So put that aside and instead consider what the football intelligentsia is saying. Emphasis, mine:
NY Post - NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year predictions
While there is competition for carries, no debutante has done more to solidify their role this preseason than Patriots rookie Treyvon Henderson. …
He’s been getting rave reviews throughout camp, and that’s been consistent with the love he received while at Ohio State.
I suspect that Henderson will take over the Patriots’ offense before long, as he and Drake Maye form a formidable bond for years to come.
The Athletic (paywall) - These are, in short, the NFL players I believe can be “future hits.” This list has been narrowed down to 32 players, one per team. …
Watching Henderson for two days at Vikings-Patriots joint practices this summer absolutely impressed me. Henderson is quiet but moves like a much more experienced veteran, especially in pass protection, and seems on the doorstep of an explosive gain at any moment. He should be a go-to outlet in the passing game immediately for second-year quarterback Drake Maye, and could make waves on special teams. One coach I spoke with said Henderson has the makings of “a star.”
Adam Schefter, ESPN - Below are some players who could be fantasy standouts this season and outperform their current average draft position (ADP). …
TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots: Demonstrated speed, elusiveness and big-play ability this preseason and will be used in conjunction with Rhamondre Stevenson.
Field Yates, ESPN - This column is … a reflection of players who are being drafted in every league that I find myself latching onto, and in some cases in an extremely high percentage of leagues. …
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots (ADP: 60.3)
After the Patriots took Henderson early in the second round of this year's draft, one of my first thoughts was: he could be this year's Bucky Irving. Not because their frames or games are identical, but rather that each was drafted to a team that had a starter in place, and that Henderson would surpass Rhamondre Stevenson like Irving did Rachaad White last season. Henderson gives the Patriots some desperately needed burst out of the backfield plus high-level receiving ability. He showed off that high-level, big-play ability with a 100-yard kickoff return in the team's first preseason game, and later on looked like the team's best ball carrier as well. The window to get top value on Henderson has likely closed, as his ADP has jumped more than 20 spots in the past week alone.
I could go on until 1pm on Sunday, when we'll find out for sure with our own eyes. But the point's been made. A guy who fell to New England with the 38th pick has done nothing since he arrived but impress everyone who's seen him. And I'll add, it's been said by some in the league that he's the best running back they've ever scouted when it comes to blitz pickup, which is the Prime Directive of any back in the Josh McDaniels offense that's made a Patriots Hall of Famer out of Kevin Faulk and all-purpose stars out of Shane Vereen and James White. And put rings on the fingers of all three. And not one of those guys came into the league showing as much potential as a rooke as TreVeyon Henderson is right now.
The season can't start soon enough. LFG.