The New England Patriots have higher expectations for themselves heading into year one of the Mike Vrabel era. "Vrabes" surrounded himself with talent on the coaching staff, including Josh McDaniels and Terrell Williams, to lead the charge for this young and hungry Patriots team. In terms of personnel, effective free agency signings and high-upside draft selections were made all offseason, tackling important positions of need along both sides of the trenches and offensive skill positions.
Drake Maye looks to be heading into his sophomore season with more confidence, and rightfully so, with Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and TreVeyon Henderson, among others, added into the fold. Up front, Maye should see more time in the pocket, knowing the additions across the offensive line. Morgan Moses is the perfect mentor to Will Campbell at tackle, and the team beefed up the interior with Garrett Bradbury and Jared Wilson alongside Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu.
Patriots brass did their part in making life easier for the second-year signal-caller, adding new faces to complement Josh McDaniels' offensive outlook and Maye's skillset. But what if I told you the most valuable piece for Maye was already on the roster?
Hunter Henry Continues to Impress in Offseason
Since coming over from the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021 free agency, Henry has emerged as one of the more reliable pass catchers on the Patriots roster. He's recorded north of 500 yards in three of four seasons in New England, and set career-highs in receptions (66), targets (97), and receiving yards (674) with Drake Maye last season.
The Arkansas native saw a 21% target share last season with Maye at the helm, the highest number among Patriots pass catchers. He also ran 30.1 routes per game, proving to be a focal point in the Patriots' receiving game. Henry was Maye's security blanket and chain mover ever since the rookie took over in Week 6.
One number that did go down was Henry's "end zone target share", going from 37.5% in 2023 to 25.9% in 2024. While the Patriots should be in the red zone more often this season, that number is destined to go up. Knowing Henry recorded a career-high in touchdowns (9) under McDaniels in 2021, there is reason to believe the 30-year-old could see double-digit touchdown numbers in 2025.
Across Drake Maye’s 10 full games, Hunter Henry led Patriots receivers in all of the following stats: targets per game (5.9), receiving YPG (44.9), first-read target share (21.1%), catchable targets (50), end zone targets (4), and expected fantasy points per game (10.5).
— Matt Williamson (@WilliamsonNFL) June 18, 2025
The veteran's play throughout minicamp gives Patriots fans reasons to believe that Henry is in for another big year, even with all of the new additions on offense. Evan Lazar of Patriots.com spoke on Henry in his "20 Thoughts on the Patriots Following Mandatory Minicamp".
"TE Hunter Henry was in mid-season form on a one-handed catch working across the field against S Jabrill Peppers. Henry is entrenched as the team's top tight end, but the backend of the TE depth chart bears watching. It'll be a good competition between Jaheim Bell, Jack Westover, and CJ Dippre that could depend on the type of player the Pats want to fill out the room behind Henry and veteran Austin Hooper."
The same way that McDaniels is destined to make DeMario Douglas the next great Patriots slot receiver, he's doing the same for Henry at tight end. Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, and even Ben Watson are all tight ends who have thrived under McDaniels (not that Gronk wasn't already an all-time great).
Sure, Henry's numbers may take a hit given the offensive weapons added around him. But he will still be a valuable presence in the red zone, on play action, and in third and short situations. He was named a team captain in 2023 and should be considered in the conversation this season.
Off the field, Henry is also making positive headlines. Nicole Yang of the Boston Globe wrote about Henry's offseason trip to Kenya to continue his support for the International Justice Mission, a nonprofit organization that he's backed for a number of years.
"His involvement culminated this past March, when he and his wife, Parker, visited Nairobi to get an up-close look at the organization’s impact. They spoke with survivors of sexual violence, hosted a soccer match for local leaders, and learned about the systemic issues plaguing the city’s police department."
Henry is using his time away from football to make an impact globally. He's a great person and football player, someone who admires Mike Vrabel and his mission to bring the Patriots back to relevancy. Under contract through 2026, Henry will continue to be one of the unsung leaders on this Patriots team.