Second-year quarterback Drake Maye’s rise to stardom is the talk of the NFL as the Patriots have risen from the dead. But while selecting Maye third overall in 2024 was a no-brainer, New England’s recent draft history has been anything but flawless. Years of missed picks left the roster thin on homegrown talent and playmakers.
The tides appear to be turning, though. In a pivotal Week 10 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Patriots’ rookie class stole the show—powering a statement win and offering a glimpse of a brighter future beyond just Maye’s heroics.
Blazing Speed From the Offense
With Kayshon Boutte and Rhamondre Stevenson sidelined, the Patriots turned to their rookies, who didn’t just fill the gap—they stole the show with two blazing-fast touchdowns.
After weeks of flirting with a breakout, rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson finally delivered the performance Patriots fans had been waiting for. Henderson torched Tampa Bay’s defense for a career-best 147 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.
That included a 55-yard score to open the second half, where he reached 22.01 mph, per NFL Next Gen Stats—the fastest top speed by any rookie ball carrier this season. He later sealed the game with another long touchdown, hitting 21.38 mph on a 69-yard sprint to the end zone.
Henderson’s breakout was the culmination of steady progress in recent weeks. He ran for 75 yards in Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns before a late fumble ended that game on a sour note. Week 10 left no doubt. Even if he should’ve slid on his final carry, it was still the statement game he needed.
And Henderson wasn’t the only rookie flashing elite speed. Earlier in the game, wideout Kyle Williams broke off a 72-yard touchdown as he sprinted 21.78 miles per hour—which was the fastest speed by a rookie this season until Henderson’s third-quarter house call.
Williams’ lone catch showcased why New England drafted him: game-breaking explosiveness that can flip a drive in seconds. As his chemistry with Maye grows, he gives Patriots fans reason to be excited about what’s ahead.
Rookie Linemen Hold Up
Against an ultra-aggressive Tampa Bay defensive front that entered the matchup ranked sixth in both pressure and blitz rate, per Sharp Football Analysis, the Patriots’ rookie linemen held firm.
With Will Campbell and Jared Wilson anchoring the left side, New England rebounded after surrendering six sacks to Atlanta a week earlier. Against Tampa Bay, Maye was taken down just once—for a one-yard loss.
Outside of a pair of false starts from the offensive line, including one by Wilson, the group kept Maye upright and consistently opened lanes for Henderson. The unit remains a work in progress, but Campbell and Wilson have the look of long-term fixtures up front.
Late-Round Hits on Defense and Special Teams
While the offensive rookies brought the fireworks, the first-year impact stretched to all phases.
On defense, safety Craig Woodson came up with one of the biggest plays of the game—a perfectly timed hit on tight end Cade Otten in the fourth quarter to break up a pass and stall a potential Buccaneers comeback. It was another highlight in a rookie season for Woodson that’s had its growing pains, but plenty of impact plays to match.
On special teams, kicker Andres Borregales continued his spotless run since Week 2, converting on all four extra points. The rookie has now hit 35 straight kicks, providing stability that’s been missing from New England’s kicking game in recent seasons.
A Turning Point for the Patriots’ Drafting
New England’s recent draft record has been grim, masked only by first-round hits like Drake Maye and Christian Gonzalez. Beyond them, few homegrown contributors remain—Maye is the only member of the 2024 class still on the roster just a year later.
As Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal noted, the Patriots entered this season with just seven homegrown starters between offense and defense. That lack of draft success forced the front office to spend big in free agency to patch holes entering 2025.
If New England wants sustained success, it must build from within—and this 2025 rookie class may finally be the turning point. From Henderson’s burst to Williams’ speed, and from Campbell’s protection to Borregales’ reliability, the Patriots’ young core is showing real signs of life.