The New England Patriots haven't made many big moves on offense since the start of free agency. Other than rolling the dice on former Green Bay Packers WR Romeo Doubs, it's been mostly quiet on Eliot Wolf's front on that side of the field.
However, they've made three moves that look tailor-made for TreVeyon Henderson. The former Ohio State star got off to a slow start to his professional career, but showed enough promise to be worth every opportunity. Now, thanks in part to these lesser-heralded moves, he's looking like a legitimate candidate for a breakout year in 2026.
The Patriots Are Buying TreVeyon Henderson Stock with their Latest Moves
The Patriots signed two physical and willing blockers in TE Julian Hill and FB Reggie Gilliam, adding two strong blockers to bolster the running game with additional bodies near the line of scrimmage. This team averaged 128.9 rushing yards per game last season, the sixth-most in the league, and that number might only go up now.
If that wasn't enough, they also signed a proven veteran in Alijah Vera-Tucker, known for his run-blocking prowess and his ability to shut down the interior of the defensive line. Per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he's never had a run-block grade below 72.5, which came during his rookie season, and has reached as high as a grade of 82.7 in 2023. Vera-Tucker comes with some injury concerns, but he is capable of making a huge difference if he stays on the field.
The Patriots eased Henderson into the action as a rookie, registering double-digit carries twice in the first eight weeks of the season, while he only eclipsed 50 rushing yards once. Then, he broke out with at least 55 rushing yards in all but one game, including 147 and 148-yard performances, during the second half of the regular season. However, whether it was the rookie wall or a byproduct of facing better defenses, Henderson wasn't much of a factor in the playoffs, with the Patriots' offense as a whole spluttering.
Henderson had a strong case to be the second-best -- or even best -- running back in last season's stacked class, but he was also a bit of a project. Now, he's clearly the best option for Mike Vrabel's team, and with a full year of experience under his belt and another full training camp, his numbers should trend up in year two.
The Patriots know that they need to dominate in the trenches to get back to the biggest game of the season. These moves may not be flashy or make headlines, but they will certainly move the needle and get this team to where it needs to be when it matters the most.