NFL GM’s Remarks Add Major Hype To High Patriots Draft Pick

Once the Patriots drafted Will Campbell fourth overall as most expected, New England was projected by many to select a wide receiver with its second-round pick.

However, Mike Vrabel and company targeted a different skill position with their first choice on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Patriots grabbed TreVeyon Henderson with the sixth pick in the second round last Friday (38th overall). Running back was a sneaky big area of need for New England, where Rhamondre Stevenson has racked up tread on his tires and can’t seem to shake a fumbling problem. Henderson can be a game-changer with his breakaway speed and pass-catching abilities, but as Colts general manager Chris Ballard recently explained, the Ohio State product could be a Day 1 impact player thanks to another key asset.

“Every running back coming into our league — the hardest thing for them is pass protection,” Ballard told reporters, per a video shared by Ari Meirov. “All of them have to learn. I will say this: I thought Henderson at Ohio State might have been as good a pass-protection back as I’ve seen coming out of college.”

Pass protection is important for most running backs on any team, but it could be especially critical for the 2025 Patriots. New England will feature a new-look offensive line in the upcoming campaign headlined by Campbell, who could experience growing pains as Drake Maye’s new blindside protector. Not to mention, all Patriots offensive players will be learning a new structure put together by coordinator Josh McDaniels.

As such, New England could find itself relying on Henderson more than the average first-year running back.