Patriots running backs Rhamondre Stevenson (left) and TreVeyon Henderson (right) were an effective tandem last season.
Patriots running backs Rhamondre Stevenson (left) and TreVeyon Henderson (right) were an effective tandem last season.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
Second in a series | Earlier: quarterbacks
You knew the Patriots’ ground game was in for a jolt on the first play of the first preseason game, as rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson returned the opening kickoff against Washington for a touchdown.
There weren’t fireworks all year long, but there was a lot to like about the New England ground game in 2025. As a team, the Patriots were sixth in rushing yards per game (128.9), tied for third in rushing plays of 20 yards or more (16), tied for fourth in rushing plays of 40 yards or more (5), and tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns (22). The numbers weren’t overly dominant over the course of the season, but the group did more than enough to carry the offensive load through much of the year.
A portion of those numbers were due to the scrambling abilities of quarterback Drake Maye (450 rushing yards on 103 carries), but the bulk came from the work of running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Henderson. After ditching the fumbling issues that dogged him early in the year, Stevenson had a strong finishing kick, rushing for 325 yards and 5.6 yards per carry during a four-game stretch at the end of the regular season and into the playoffs.
As for Henderson, he was a finalist for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and was just 89 regular-season rushing yards shy of becoming the first Patriots’ running back to hit 1,000 yards in his first season since Robert Edwards in 1998. While he struggled with some aspects of the transition from college to the NFL, his home-run ability and 5.1 yards per carry average made it a rookie season to remember for the second rounder out of Ohio State.
You always want to keep an eye on the future; Stevenson will be 28 this season, which means New England could look to add a developmental prospects at the back end of the depth chart. But heading into 2026, unless there’s a big surprise, there shouldn’t be wholesale changes in this group. Could they re-sign Antonio Gibson if he’s healthy? In addition, Lan Larison was conspicuous in his appearances in the locker room and on the practice field late in the regular season. (Larison, Gibson, and Terrell Jennings ended the season on injured reserve.)
Ultimately, if Henderson and Stevenson can build on their solid 2025, this should be one of the sturdier ground games in the AFC. But they could use a dependable third option as a depth piece either in the draft or free agency.
Currently on the roster: TreVeyon Henderson (180 carries, 911 rushing yards, 9 TDs; 35 catches, 221 receiving yards, 1 TD), Rhamondre Stevenson (130 carries, 603 rushing yards, 7 TDs; 32 catches, 345 receiving yards, 2 TDs), D’Ernest Johnson (14carries, 25 yards), Lan Larison (no regular season stats), Terrell Jennings (23 carries, 73 rushing yards, 1 TD, 1 catch, 9 yards).
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker, who was named MVP of Super Bowl LX against the Patriots, is a free agent this offseason.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker, who was named MVP of Super Bowl LX against the Patriots, is a free agent this offseason.Matt Slocum/Associated Press
Notable free agents (pending franchise tag assignments)
While the Patriots might not necessarily be in the market for a free agent running back this offseason, there are some impact possibilities out there on the market. Reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker figures to cash in nicely. In addition, Breece Hall, Travis Etienne, and Rico Dowdle, all of whom are coming off 1,000-yard seasons, should also land handsome paydays. Najee Harris is a tantalizing prospect coming off a torn Achilles.
Tier 1: Kenneth Walker (221 carries, 1,027 rushing yards, 5 TDs), Breece Hall (243 carries, 1,065 rushing yards, 4 TDs), Travis Etienne (260 carries, 1,107 rushing yards, 7 TDs), Rico Dowdle (236 carries, 1,076 rushing yards, 6 TDs), Kenneth Gainwell (114 carries, 537 rushing yards, 5 TDs), Javonte Williams (252 carries, 1,201 rushing yards, 11 TDs).
Tier 2: J.K. Dobbins (153 carries, 772 rushing yards, 4 TDs), Rachaad White (132 carries, 572 rushing yards, 4 TDs), Nick Chubb (122 carries, 506 rushing yards, 3 TDs), Najee Harris (15 carries, 61 yards).
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.Julio Cortez/Associated Press
Draft possibilities
It’s a good year to draft a running back out of Notre Dame. Jeremiyah Love, a Heisman finalist, rushed for 2,497 yards in his last two seasons with the Irish. Teammate Jadarian Price (113 carries, 674 yards, 11 TDs) is a first-round possibility as well.
Day 1: Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame), Jadarian Price (Notre Dame).
Day 2: Jonah Coleman (Washington), Emmett Johnson (Nebraska), Mike Washington, Jr. (Arkansas), Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest).
Day 3: Kaytron Allen (Penn State), Seth McGowan (Kentucky). Nicholas Singleton (Penn State).
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.