During his rookie season, New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson flashed his explosive ability, particularly late in the season. In turn, the Patriots now clearly have a two-headed monster at running back alongside Rhamondre Stevenson.
There is one problem, though. Henderson is struggling in one key part of being an NFL running back. That’s pass blocking.
Patriots insider Chad Graff recently shared that Henderson looks a bit like he did a season ago. That is to say, explosive but lacking in his ability to pass protect.
“RB TreVeyon Henderson: It’s looked a bit like last season: big, explosive plays, but just enough mistakes in pass protection that it feels like a risk to use him on third downs. If he can improve in that skill, though, look out,” Chad Graff wrote.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye recently shared his confidence in the running back. In particular, as they pick up blitzes, saying, “I think, last year, that was one of the biggest things I feel like we did a good job at, was handling blitz and handling where guys are coming from blocking it up. Our guys up front, and Rhamondre and TreVeyon, those guys, even Hunter Henry sometimes, man, they did a great job of pass protecting.”
Maye isn’t likely going to publicly criticize any player, of course. However, it is a good vote of confidence that Henderson seems to need.
New England Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson Was Considered a Good Pass Blocker in College
GettyTreVeyon Henderson in college at Ohio State
Pass blocking wasn’t supposed to be a concern for TreVeyon Henderson when he transitioned to the NFL. Part of that is because of his size and strength, at 202 lbs.
Coming out of Ohio State, Henderson was considered a good pass blocker, too. That included in an analysis that NFL Draft writer Lance Zierlein shared on NFL.com before the draft.
“He might be the best pass-protecting running back in this draft and is more than capable as a pass-catcher,” Zierlein wrote at the time. “Henderson isn’t Jahmyr Gibbs, but he can operate in a similar role for teams looking to add a more dynamic player to their running back room.”
Zierlein would add a strength of Henderson’s as “sorts, centers and strikes like an offensive lineman in protection.”
All of that makes it a bit surprising that Henderson is reportedly having issues in pass protection. However, it also does mean that these should be correctable issues for the Patriots, and the defense is certainly giving him opportunities to learn in Training Camp.
“It helps us a lot. Whatever they throw at us, just being able to step up in the pocket and pick it up and protect the quarterback, that’s a big thing. So I’m just continuing to try to get better at that as well, each and every practice. It’s been helpful,” Henderson said.
“Just continuing to get opportunities, and when I get opportunities take advantage of it. Even when I’m not in, taking mental reps. Seeing what the defense is doing, going through my steps, going through my reads.”
Henderson Took Time Adjusting to the NFL as a Rookie
GettyNew England Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson
Going back to Henderson’s rookie season, there were some points where he was slow to adjust to the NFL. In particular, keeping up with the mental side of the game. That would speed things up and make it hard to play him at times.
The Patriots only played Henderson in 30 snaps between the AFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl. That was after he had just fewer than 10 carries in six of the Patriots’ first seven games.
Luckily, going into year two, Henderson is more confident. He believes the game is slowing down for him.
“Most definitely,” Henderson said. “I think the biggest thing is, like I said, understanding the offense a lot more, understanding certain plays, and then of course just continuing to get accustomed to the speed. I think by now I’m definitely accustomed, just being able to get a lot of opportunities last year. And so going into this year, just being a lot more patient, knowing what I’m doing, knowing where I’m supposed to be.”
The Patriots expect to be a strong offensive team in 2026. Henderson figures to be a key piece of that next season and moving forward beyond that as long as he can keep developing.
Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson Criticized for Lacking in Key Part of Game