Out of all the running back selections in this year’s draft, except Ashton Jeanty to the Las Vegas Raiders, this one could be the most exciting in terms of fantasy with TreVeyon Henderson landing with the Patriots. One of the biggest, if not the best, home run hitters in this draft at the running back position finds himself with Drake Maye in New England. While it doesn’t pertain to fantasy, TreVeyon Henderson is also known to be the top pass-protected back. This gives him a better chance to play all three downs compared to most backs, despite his size, and be on the field as much as possible.
That will impact the overall potential success of the offense given how bad the offensive protection for Maye was in his rookie year. Now with more additions on the offensive line like Will Campbell and a back like Henderson makes Mike Vrabel’s Pats a potential interesting team in the AFC East. The Ohio State second round pick pairs a thunder and lightning tandem with veteran Rhamondre Stevenson. However, his place could be threatened, as he dealt with a few injuries but had multiple fumbles when he did play in 2024.
TreVeyon Henderson’s Backfield in New England?
It was a suprise to see his former teammate Quinshon Judkins go ahead of him, to the Cleveland Browns, at the top of the second round on day two of the 2025 NFL Draft. It does make sense, as both shared the backfield at Buckeyes but Judkins has the NFL size some teams may covet more than others. But Henderson is the perfect mold of what the Patriots are looking for, a potential pass-catcher and speed back that has enough size to handle a bigger workload than what he got in college.
According to Fantasy Pros, Henderson is ranked 32th in PPR, but I expect that to go up among potential starting running backs. The question mark is Maye can target Hendo early and often as a check down option, with a few new additions in the receiver room like rookie Kyle Williams and veteran Stefon Diggs.
I would not be suprised if we see a De’Von Achane like acension for fantasy football owners who draft him, as he has a great PPR profile to be involved down to down early and be more utilized in Josh McDaniels offense. McDaniels, while he was a head coach for the Raiders in 2022-2023, led their running back, Josh Jacobs, to a monster season, as he led the NFL in rushing that year and was a top three fantasy RB.
Achane in his rookie year as a former third round pick was the 5th ranked fantasy back for PPR in 2023, as he followed that up with some injuries in 2024 but still finished as the 24th ranked back, but in a different way. The turbo back was used way more as a receiver in his second season, as Achane had over 500 receiving yards last year.
Henderson only had 200-300 each year at OSU but I see way more rushing upside, as he can take bigger hits and last longer than Achane potentially at his size (200 lbs.) compared to the Fins back, who is under 190 lbs. Achane is a top five running back projected in 2025 fantasy football redraft leagues for PPR.
TreVeyon Henderson final gives the Patriots what they were missing in the Rhamondre- Antonio Gibson duo last season, except way younger (22), way better, and way faster of a prospect compared to the two veterans. While it could take some time, at least early on, Henderson could finish in the top 15 for PPR redraft leagues at the end of the day.
Expect potentially 12 touches a game, with that to go over 15 for sure once the offense as a whole clicks and he starts seeing his snap share rise compared to Stevenson, who could be on the bubble with this new regime despite getting paid last season. If he is moved, Henderson is to the moon in fantasy value this coming season.