Patriots Explosive Rookie RB Giving Offense Hope

When the New England Patriots turned in the card to select Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson with the 38th overall pick in this year's draft, the team likely expected him to have a significant role in the offense in 2025.

After two stellar performances in the preseason and a full training camp slate filled with highlights, it appears Henderson has already shocked even his teammates and coaches. In the first preseason game of the summer, Henderson took the opening kickoff 100 yards to the house, before punching it into the end zone one week later.

As his quarterback, Drake Maye has been impressed with the rookie and hopes to get the ball in his hands any way possible.

"I think that's part of what we watch film for," Maye said Wednesday. "That's part of what we come out here and practice for is knowing check downs and knowing, 'Hey, my first look, if they're giving it to me, take it.' That's part of playing quarterback in this league, finding completions, and I feel confident in myself. I feel like at times, last year, when I got the ball out on time and I got the ball to the right guy, we moved the ball well. So, I think just trying to start off this season with that mindset and like I said, stay ahead of the chains, do my part, finding completions and not holding the ball."

It's not just how Henderson moves when he has the football. He's also shined this summer as a blocker, something that really attracted the Patriots to his skillset during the draft process.

"I think protection wise, you saw it in college. Just continuing to the NFL, I think he wants to protect me," Maye said. "That's something that they've kind of established in the running back room of wanting to be good in pass pro, and it's something that jumps off the tape.

"I think those, especially those O-linemen and the guys – quarterbacks and other guys in the room – really respect a running back when they go up there. If they give a linebacker a good pop or pass off a game, it's really impressive. In the passing game, just do my best job of continuing to work with him, giving him the ball in space and seeing what he's seen in zone coverage, option routes or things like that. So, I think he's a weapon. My best thing is to give him the ball in space and get the guys that are better at running than I am, that's for sure."