TreVeyon Henderson exudes the kind of traits that scream third-down back.
The Patriots second-round pick looks like an absolute stud as a runner, pass-catcher, and blocker.
It’s no secret the Patriots have been searching for their next great third-down back. During the two decades the Patriots established their dynasty, winning six championships, they’ve featured some of the best at the position.
Kevin Faulk (3), Shane Vereen (1) and James White (3) have seven rings between them largely because of how well they performed the role. All three excelled at keeping Tom Brady upright.
Danny Woodhead wasn’t part of any of the Patriots championship teams, but he was another in the line of noted third-down backs on the team.
Could Henderson be the next?
Watching film of him at the college level, seeing his explosiveness as a pass catcher, and his willingness to take on and level oncoming blitzers, it sure looks like he fits the part.
Faulk, in fact, was so impressed watching Henderson as a high school back, he tried to recruit him to LSU in 2021.
“He was one of the top running backs coming out of high school in the country. And I almost had him. I tried to get him to LSU,” Faulk said of the Ohio State back when reached recently. “When I saw (the Patriots) drafted him, I’m like, ‘Wow they got themselves a really good football player.’
“He’s a really good pass protector. And you don’t get much (of that) with guys coming from college when they’re the No. 1 guys on the team. I know what he can bring, and not just in pass protection. He’s an all-around running back, catching the ball out of the backfield.
“But as far as the technique of picking up the blitz, that kid could be a teacher. Just from his technique.”
What will make, or break Henderson in New England is pass protection. That’s how Ivan Fears sees it.
It’s one thing to be good with blitz pick-up in college. It’s another to have success in the pros.
“What Josh (McDaniels) will look for, he’s got to mentally be able to determine who he’s got. That’s a big part of it,” said Fears, the team’s long-time running backs coach who is now retired but still attends an occasional practice. “The mental gymnastics he’s going to have to go through, is going to be challenging. It’s not just saying, ‘That’s my guy.’ There’s a lot that goes on. And it happens fast.”
Henderson, who was missing from the first day of Patriots rookie minicamp Friday, but present on Day 2 Saturday, will find out soon enough about the Patriots protection rules, what he’s supposed to do, and which rusher he’s supposed to take as different situations arise. He has to be able to adjust on the fly, especially if someone else takes his man.
Mostly, he’s going to have to be in sync with the offensive line.
“It’s going to be a big adjustment. It’s a lot of looks,” Fears said. “He’s gotta know what the guys up front are doing. He’s working in conjunction with those guys. That’s a very important part of the package. Usually, that’s where (rookies) stumble a little bit.”
White, who recently took a job at Illinois as the assistant running backs coach, watched quite a bit of Henderson at Ohio State. He was impressed with what he saw, but like Fears, pointed out how different it’s going to be in the NFL when it comes to pass protection.
“I think he should be ahead of the curve, but it’s always a challenge once you get to the next level because typically the blitzers will be a little bit better and the pressures can sometimes be a little bit more exotic,” White said via text. “But as far as his technique and willingness to do it, he will be in good shape.”
On tape, Henderson, who is 5-10, 202 pounds, seemed to relish the role. He seemed to love meeting blitzers head on. One by one, he’d demolish oncoming rushers.
Fears agreed the willingness of backs to take on bigger defensive players factors into the equation. And from what he’s seen from highlights, Henderson has that quality in spades.
“That’s the one thing you saw on film. The kid is a willing blocker. He’s physical. You love that,” Fears said. “I think it’s important to him, which is a big part of it. If he’ll study, if he’ll ask questions, and he’ll work at it, he’ll get better at it. And he’ll get better fast.
“I think he’s physical enough,” the longtime Patriots coach went on. “These linebackers are big. They’re going to challenge him physically, and they’re going to challenge him mentally.”
During the few interviews he’s had with the local media, Henderson came across as a confident kid. Shortly after being taken by the Patriots in the second round, he wasn’t shy talking about his ability when asked to describe his game.
“I’d say I’m fast, I’m explosive,” he began. “I’m good in one-on-one matchups. My receiving ability, my blocking, I pretty much can do it all.”
Henderson ran a 4.43-second 40 at the scouting combine. This past season for the Buckeyes, he rushed for 1,016 yards, scoring 10 touchdowns.
Fears is just hoping Henderson proves to be the real deal at the pro level. He doesn’t want the first-year back to become a liability in pass protection.
“There’s a niche there. There’s a place for this guy. In our offense, it’s a very, very important role,” Fears said. “If he takes it to heart, and does a good job with it, if he can pick up the blitz game and pick up the rules, that’s going to be a huge, huge part of taking care of Drake (Maye) and giving him a chance to throw the ball. He’ll be a vital part of that offense. He really will be.”
Fears recalled when Faulk was a Patriots second-round draft pick in 1999, the former LSU star desperately wanted to make the team, and be a part of the offense.
It wasn’t long into training camp – then at Bryant College – that Faulk struggled with blitz pickup.
Fears recalled walking out of practice one day with then-offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia when Faulk approached them.
“I’ll never forget that day. Kevin came up to Dante, we were walking off the field, and asked him if he would teach him how to pass protect. How to be good at blitz pickup,” Fears said. “And Dante sure did. Post-practice, Dante worked with him. And it made a world of difference for him, and it gave Kevin a chance to play in the league as a third-down back.”
Having one that can catch, and run, but can’t block, can be deadly to an offense – but mostly to a quarterback.
It’s not until a back proves he can handle his blocking assignments, that he becomes a true threat in the passing game.
The third-down back, in many instances, is considered the last line of defense in front of the quarterback.
Maye’s survival will depend on the offensive line, and the back’s ability to handle oncoming blitzers. If Henderson turns out to be that guy, if he can perform the necessary tasks, and also showcase his electric ability with the ball in his hands, it’s a win for the Patriots.
“His role is going to be big. He’s going to be involved. It’s a very important role,” Fears said of Henderson’s prospects. “But he’s not going to make it if he gets Drake killed.
“He won’t play. They’ll pick on him. The defense will blitz every time he’s back there if they think he can’t protect. They’ll take advantage of him. Drake will pay the price. And the offense will pay the price.”
As witnessed last year, the Patriots will have a tough time throwing the ball, if the line, and third-down back by extension, can’t block.
The key is having the confidence to throw the football whenever the need arises no matter how much pressure the opposition sends.
“Our back is not going to be a liability back there,” Fears said. “I know Josh is not going to have that. It’s not going to happen.”
Over the course of the summer, and training camp in the fall, the Patriots will find out if Henderson can handle the job, and add to a running back room that features Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson.
If he’s not up to the task, the search continues.
