The 2025 Patriots rookie class is a top one and may be the best in years. It's already that on paper, but the rubber meets the turf when the pads go on and the guys play football. Not only did the Pats under Mike Vrabel draft well, but they added a few undrafted free agents (UDFA) who may make the team. Among the UDFAs is a favorite here, slot receiver, Efton Chism III from Washington State.
Among the draft picks is the No. 4 overall pick, left tackle Will Campbell. He's a Day One starter and their best in years on the left side. Then came a second-round running back from the Ohio State Championship team, TreVeyon Henderson.
Recently, Henderson received some buzz from CBS Sports writer Chris Trapasso. Let's take a look at what Chris has to say about Henderson and the possibility that he could contend for the prestigious NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) award.
CBS Sports has TreVeyon Henderson in the running to challenge for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award
The presumptive Offensive Rookie of the Year in the NFL is running back Ashton Jeanty of Las Vegas and has all the makings of an All-Pro from the get-go.
In a recent article, Trapasso of CBS Sports listed several offensive rookies who might challenge Jeanty for that honor, and Henderson was third in line after receiver, Tetairoa McMillan, and quarterback, Cam Ward. Here's some of what Trapasso had to say about the Pats' rookie,
"... Henderson is a stocky but versatile back with stellar pass-blocking skill and receiving talent, so even if he doesn't receive 200-plus carries in Year 1, he should become a central figure in this new-look New England attack as a rookie.
While never the true feature back at Ohio State, Henderson averaged a whopping 6.4 yards per carry in his four seasons in Columbus, and he averaged 11.1 yards per reception and scored a seismic 48 touchdowns on 667 career touches. The Patriots offensive line is a tick worrisome, but tackle Will Campbell, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, should help solidify the left side for Maye, Henderson and Co."
While the Patriots' 2025 offensive line is now less "worrisome" to some of us than Trapasso feels, he outlines Henderson's props nicely. He's the best seen in these parts in some time, and he will undoubtedly lift the running back room in 2025.
Trapasso neglected one critical point about Henderson
Trapasso nicely noted that Trev Henderson can catch the ball from the backfield. That makes him a potential three-down back, never a bad asset to any NFL team when injuries strike, as they will. In addition, he noted his "stellar" skill in pass-blocking. It's an apt depiction. He's a noted pass-blocker who can stand up blitzing cornerbacks, safeties, and linebackers in their tracks.
Yet, one aspect that Trapasso didn't emphasize is one that the Patriots haven't displayed in some time in their backfield. That's the ability to take it to the house on every carry. The young former Buckeye is a home run threat every time he has the ball in his hands, and that's a defensive coordinator's nightmare.
Henderson is an explosive back, the likes of which haven't been seen in Foxborough since Deion Lewis's last year in 2017. Henderson is a bigger, faster version of Lewis, and that portends well for the somewhat lackluster RB room. He'll give them lots of pizzaz.
Added to the skills of big back, Rhamondre Stevenson, former Pro-Bowl receiver, Stefon Diggs, and fellow rookie flash, Kyle Williams, Henderson will help comprise a new Patriots' offense that will stun the AFC East and the NFL in 2025. It's an exciting prospect. Expect Henderson to be a big piece of this Patriots' offensive juggernaut, led by Drake Maye, coming to a stadium near you.
More Patriots news and analysis: