When the New England Patriots drafted TreVeyon Henderson with the 38th pick in this spring\u2019s NFL Draft, his speed was obvious. They thought he\u2019d provide a jolt to arguably the league\u2019s least explosive offense.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Finally, his toughness and pass-blocking ability were obvious. He routinely stepped up to stop blitzing linebackers while at Ohio State.<\/p>\n
All told, those parts of Henderson\u2019s 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).<\/p>\n
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\u2019s best running back. He might be its most reliable offensive weapon, period.<\/p>\n
Of course, it can be risky to put too much belief into training camp and preseason performances, especially with a rookie. But Henderson\u2019s ability to run between the tackles has surprised even the highest levels of the team brass.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith TreVeyon, everyone sees the speed, everyone saw the pass protection, the ability to get outside,\u201d said Eliot Wolf, the team\u2019s executive vice president of player personnel. \u201cI\u2019ve been maybe most impressed with his ability to run between the tackles. Not that he couldn\u2019t do that in college, but I think his vision and his instincts there have been really impressive, and he continues to improve each week.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s something I come to practice and try to get better at,\u201d Henderson said. \u201cRunning routes out of the backfield, pass protection, every aspect of my game, I\u2019m just trying to get better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before training camp, it was easy to envision Stevenson as the Patriots\u2019 primary ball carrier with Henderson mixing in on third downs and Gibson spelling those two when needed. But Henderson\u2019s strong summer makes it seem reasonable that he\u2019ll get half the carries, if not more.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a dilemma coach Mike Vrabel insists he\u2019s not worried about sorting out.<\/p>\n
When asked how he\u2019d handle a rotation between those three, Vrabel said, \u201cI think that\u2019s 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\u2019re all capable, and we\u2019re excited to get them back and do some things with them. I think the carries and production will hopefully all take care of itself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even if Henderson doesn\u2019t start the season as the primary running back, he should get touches on special teams as the team\u2019s kick returner. His 100-yard return in the preseason opener solidified his role there.<\/p>\n
TreVeyon Henderson goes 100 yards for the TD on the opening kickoff!<\/p>\n
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