TreVeyon Henderson does most things fast.
The running back ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash before the Patriots selected him in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. That speed helped him become the first Patriot to score four touchdowns of 50-plus yards as a rookie.
Mentally, though, things seemed to be moving too fast at times.
Henderson went through challenging stretches as a rookie, culminating in him playing just 30 total snaps across the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl.
Now entering Year 2,
everything is beginning to slow down.
“Most definitely,” he said. “I think the biggest thing is, like I said, understanding the offense a lot more, understanding certain plays, and then of course just continuing to get accustomed to the speed. I think by now I’m definitely accustomed, just being able to get a lot of opportunities last year. And so going into this year, just being a lot more patient, knowing what I’m doing, knowing where I’m supposed to be.”
After helping Ohio State win the national championship in January 2025, Henderson immediately shifted his focus to preparing for the NFL. He went on to appear in all 21 games as a rookie, leaving little time to take a step back.
This past offseason finally gave him that opportunity, and allowed Henderson to recover physically and sharpen his mental side of his game.
“I think understanding the offense,” Henderson said. “Understanding certain runs and pass schemes and things like that — it’s been helping me a lot. I’m just trying to continue to enhance my game however I can.”
While Henderson showcased his home-run ability as a ball carrier, he was not able to make the same impact in the passing game last season. Much of that was due to issues in pass protection.
Early in training camp, the Patriots defense has not been shy about dialing up pressure from all over the field, giving Henderson plenty of opportunities to continue developing in that area.
“It helps us a lot,” Henderson shared. “Whatever they throw at us, just being able to step up in the pocket and pick it up and protect the quarterback, that’s a big thing. So I’m just continuing to try to get better at that as well, each and every practice. It’s been helpful.
“Just continuing to get opportunities, and when I get opportunities take advantage of it. Even when I’m not in, taking mental reps. Seeing what the defense is doing, going through my steps, going through my reads.”
