When the New England Patriots selected TreVeyon Henderson with the 38th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, it wasn’t hard to see why. The Ohio State star brought jaw-dropping speed, soft hands as a pass-catcher, and the toughness to knock blitzing linebackers to the turf.
For a Patriots offense that has been starving for explosiveness the past several seasons, Henderson looks like the perfect fit to inject life into Josh McDaniels’ system.
Although many assumed he’d slot in as a third-down weapon behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson, Henderson has quickly proven he’s more than a situational piece. In fact, the rookie might already be the Patriots’ most dangerous offensive weapon heading into the 2025 fantasy football season.
So, what does all this mean for fantasy managers looking to draft Henderson this year? Let’s break it down.
5-STAR RECRUIT LIVED UP TO THE HYPE
At Ohio State, Henderson built a résumé that made him one of the top running back prospects in the 2025 class.
His strengths:
- Explosiveness: Instant acceleration to blow through holes or dust defenders on the edge. In 2024, 22.1% of his carries went for 10+ yards, ranking third in the FBS.
- Reliability: Only two fumbles in four years (zero lost).
- Pass-catching ability: Natural hands with just two drops on 53 targets over his final two seasons. He averaged 11.1 yards per catch when split against linebackers.
- Blocking: Unlike many college RBs, Henderson excelled in pass protection, often stonewalling blitzers.
- Production: Finished fifth on Ohio State’s all-time rushing list, just seven yards shy of Eddie George.
Naturally, some durability concerns followed Henderson into the draft, as he missed time in 2022 with a foot injury and again in 2023 with lingering leg issues.
During his final year at Ohio State, he shared the backfield with transfer Quinshon Judkins, the power to Henderson’s speed, which helped keep his touches in check compared to previous seasons. That reduced workload actually worked in his favor, showcasing how effective he could be in a more specialized role: thriving as a third-down weapon with the ability to chip in on early downs when needed.
MORE THAN JUST A THIRD-DOWN BACK
Rookies can sometimes shine in August before reality hits in September, but Henderson’s camp has been different. From the first practice, reports out of Foxboro have raved about his vision and ability to run between the tackles, something that was viewed as a potential weakness coming into the league.
Patriots Executive VP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf even admitted:
“I’ve been maybe most impressed with his ability to run between the tackles. His vision and instincts there have been really impressive, and he continues to improve each week.”
Add in his elite speed and pass-catching ability, and Henderson looks like a player the Patriots simply can’t keep off the field.
He already made his presence felt in the preseason with a jaw-dropping 100-yard kickoff return touchdown on his first NFL touch. That kind of juice is something the Patriots’ offense has sorely lacked for years.
A CROWDED BUT WINNABLE BACKFIELD
The Patriots entered the summer with Rhamondre Stevenson penciled in as the lead back and Antonio Gibson as a change-of-pace option. But Henderson’s emergence has thrown that plan into question.
Stevenson has been a tough runner for the Patriots during his NFL career, but ball-security issues plague him. Gibson is a useful veteran and can play on third downs, but he’s more of a rotational piece than a feature back. Then there’s Henderson, who is the most dynamic of the three, with the ability to create explosive plays on the ground and through the air.
It wouldn’t be shocking if Henderson split carries right away, with a chance to fully take over as the season progresses. Given the Patriots’ shaky wide receiver group, McDaniels has shown in camp that he will lean heavily on Henderson as both a runner and receiver.
TREVEYON HENDERSON FANTASY OUTLOOK
Henderson checks in at RB15 and 39th overall in our 2025 Fantasy Football Rankings (a full 10 spots higher than expert consensus rankings).
Here’s why:
- Explosiveness = fantasy upside: Every touch has the chance to go for six. In best ball leagues, that kind of big-play ability is pure gold.
- Pass-catching role: Henderson is already a favorite target on screen passes and wheel routes. In PPR formats, he has a safe weekly floor.
- Path to lead-back duties: Stevenson’s fumbling woes and Gibson’s limitations leave the door wide open for Henderson to grab 12-15 touches per game.
- High floor, sky-high ceiling: Even if he starts in a committee, Henderson’s versatility guarantees usage. And if he takes over the backfield? He could be a league-winner.
Of course, you’ll need to weigh his injury history. Henderson missed stretches at Ohio State, and durability is the only real red flag in his profile. But early signs in camp suggest he’s in peak shape and ready to handle an NFL workload.
TREVEYON HENDERSON’S ADP IS ASCENDING
TreVeyon Henderson is one of the hottest names in fantasy football right now, and for good reason. He’s got the explosiveness to break games open, the versatility to thrive in Josh McDaniels’ offense, and a clearer-than-expected path to lead-back duties.
In redraft leagues, Henderson’s ADP has climbed from 65 overall to 38 overall and into the third or fourth rounds. In rookie drafts, he’s a top-five pick with massive franchise-changing potential.
Bottom line: Henderson isn’t just the Patriots’ most exciting rookie; he’s one of the biggest potential league-winners in 2025 fantasy football drafts.
