When the New England Patriots drafted TreVeyon Henderson with the 38th pick in this spring’s NFL Draft, his speed was obvious. They thought he’d provide a jolt to arguably the league’s least explosive offense.

And they knew about his pass-catching ability. It seemed a perfect asset for a Josh McDaniels offense that so often leans on running backs who can make plays out of the backfield, especially on third down.

Finally, his toughness and pass-blocking ability were obvious. He routinely stepped up to stop blitzing linebackers while at Ohio State.

All told, those parts of Henderson’s game formed enough of a toolset for the Patriots to use a second-round pick on him, even without an immediate need at running back (the roster already featured veterans Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson).

But in one of the most positive developments of the summer for the Patriots, Henderson has looked like more than just a gadget running back who can be leaned on in third-down situations. With less than two weeks remaining before the season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, the rookie might not be just the team’s best running back. He might be its most reliable offensive weapon, period.

Of course, it can be risky to put too much belief into training camp and preseason performances, especially with a rookie. But Henderson’s ability to run between the tackles has surprised even the highest levels of the team brass.

“With TreVeyon, everyone sees the speed, everyone saw the pass protection, the ability to get outside,” said Eliot Wolf, the team’s executive vice president of player personnel. “I’ve been maybe most impressed with his ability to run between the tackles. Not that he couldn’t do that in college, but I think his vision and his instincts there have been really impressive, and he continues to improve each week.”

A Patriots offense that has lacked explosiveness in recent years finally has a home run threat. Henderson is at his best on carries to the outside when he can use his speed to beat linebackers to the edge. And that might be especially effective early in the season, since left tackle Will Campbell has shown a strong ability in run blocking as he works through some ups and downs in pass protection.

But the Patriots have also used Henderson in the passing game and frequently look to hit the 22-year-old on screen passes and wheel routes where he sneaks out of the backfield and gets matched up against a linebacker.

“That’s something I come to practice and try to get better at,” Henderson said. “Running routes out of the backfield, pass protection, every aspect of my game, I’m just trying to get better.”

Before training camp, it was easy to envision Stevenson as the Patriots’ primary ball carrier with Henderson mixing in on third downs and Gibson spelling those two when needed. But Henderson’s strong summer makes it seem reasonable that he’ll get half the carries, if not more.

That’s a dilemma coach Mike Vrabel insists he’s not worried about sorting out.

When asked how he’d handle a rotation between those three, Vrabel said, “I think that’s going to take care of itself as we get a little closer, there are some things that are game-planned, and the involvement that some of them have on special teams or plays that we like for one or the other. But I think that they’re all capable, and we’re excited to get them back and do some things with them. I think the carries and production will hopefully all take care of itself.”

Even if Henderson doesn’t start the season as the primary running back, he should get touches on special teams as the team’s kick returner. His 100-yard return in the preseason opener solidified his role there.

TreVeyon Henderson goes 100 yards for the TD on the opening kickoff!

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So far, the second-round pick has been understated. He doesn’t talk too much about his strong start or the best parts of his game.

“Thankful to have had some success so far and gotten my feet wet in the NFL,” Henderson said. “It’s been a blessing. I just look forward to coming to practice each and every day and working hard.”

Even downplaying his successes thus far, Henderson has put himself in line to get more carries than initially expected.

Stevenson has dealt with ball-security concerns in the past. Gibson is good, but doesn’t have the big-play pop that Henderson does. The team’s passing game should be better, but there are still fair questions about what they have in their group of wide receivers.

All of that leaves the door wide open for Henderson. Before they’ve even played in their first game, Henderson might already be their most exciting offensive player.

(Photo: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images)