Being a second-round pick with multipurpose skills, natural positional flexibility and a talent for big plays means TreVeyon Henderson will see the field in a variety of roles for the New England Patriots in 2025, but the rookie running back’s trying to narrow his focus by studying one particular franchise legend.
Henderson told reporters, including ESPN’s Mike Reiss, he’s been watching tape of “James White. Shoot, he dang near looked like a receiver. He was a great running back here.”
Rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson on who he has studied in Josh McDaniels’ offense: “James White. Shoot, he dang near looked like a receiver. He was a great running back here.”
(cc: @SweetFeet_White)
Going into further detail, Henderson talked up White’s “great receiving ability that he had. In 1-on-1 matchups it seems like he was winning every time,” per Patriots on CLNS Media.
Using White as a reference point is smart because the three-time Super Bowl winner was perhaps the most well-rounded proponent of a staple role in the Patriots’ offense for years. Coordinator Josh McDaniels, who returned to Gillette Stadium this year for a third stint, long made a prolific backfield receiver a feature of his schemes.
White continued a tradition started by Kevin Faulk and continued by Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead and Dion Lewis. All were put in multiple spots across formations, but White was the most polished when split out wide as a traditional receiver.
Henderson is primed to be the next go-to back for the Pats in passing situations. His good hands and formidable blocking skills have already stood out during offseason work.
TreVeyon Henderson Chose the Right Patriots Legend to Study
It makes sense for Henderson to try and emulate what White did. The rookie has had a head start thanks to comparisons with White “often” made by Buckeyes running backs coach Carlos Locklyn, per Patriots.com Writer Paul Perillo.
Those comparisons perhaps explain why the Patriots felt compelled to reject a two-pick trade and stay put and select Henderson 38th overall in the 2025 NFL draft. His numbers, including averaging 7.1 yards as a runner and 10.5 as a receiver, justified that decision.
Statistics like those are why many franchise greats expect big things from Henderson. Breaking down film of White will only help him deliver.
Fortunately, the Patriots have made sure Henderson won’t be short of study tape. As White told “The Money Down Podcast” (h/t Sleeper’s Carlos A. Lopez), “I got word from a little birdie that they tapped in to that [film] right now. They tapped into some of that tape right now… you know they gon’ get right.”
The #Patriots are having rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson study James White’s film.
“I got word from a little birdie that they tapped in to that [film] right now. They tapped into some of that tape right now… you know they gon’ get right.”
Henderson 📈
(🎥 @Themoneydownpod)
Henderson becoming what White was for McDaniels’ offense will help overhaul the backfield. Specifically, by creating a committee fronted by the power-based running style of Rhamondre Stevenson and a tough and gifted undrafted rookie.
The only question remains what role will a veteran with similar receiver-type skills play?
Patriots Still Have Questions About Backfield
Stevenson still has a lot to prove, but he’s likely to be the workhorse on the ground. Things will become unpredictable when McDaniels wants different skills in the backfield.
He can count on Henderson, but there’s also Antonio Gibson, a proven back converted from receiver. Gibson still has value, but he looks like the odd man out on this depth chart.
Giving up on Gibson too soon could be a mistake, but the Patriots won’t want a holdover player blocking Henderson’s development. Especially if the first-year pro continues to catch the eye with plays like this reception from second-year quarterback Drake Maye at OTAs.
More of this kind of stuff will make it impossible to keep Henderson off the field, but McDaniels doesn’t have to, like he doesn’t need to limit his running backs to specific situations.
Instead, the play-caller can mix and match personnel. It’s something Patriots.com Staff Writer Evan Lazar found “interesting” this offseason, when he saw “speed backs TreVeyon Henderson and Antonio Gibson playing alongside Rhamondre Stevenson at times.”
Having multiple talented backs for multiple roles is a champagne problem McDaniels has always known how to handle. The more combinations he works onto the field featuring Henderson’s versatile athleticism, the better the Patriots will be on offense.
