Who Should I Start? Travis Etienne Jr. or TreVeyon Henderson

Tuesday, April 7, 5:51 AM

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson is coming off the most productive season of any rookie back in a Josh McDaniels-led offense since Knowshon Moreno in 2009. McDaniels' famously complex protection schemes have often resulted in essentially a redshirt season for most of his rookie runners, followed by a consistent year-two leap. Henderson was touted as the best pass-protecting halfback in a loaded 2025 class, and while he was the first Patriots rookie to see 500 offensive snaps since Curtis Martin in 1995, his still-developing play strength and recognition often made him a liability on obvious passing downs, with the coaching staff favoring Rhamondre Stevenson in critical situations. Additional time in the Patriots' new weight room and one more year with McDaniels' playbook, along with his clearly evident big-play ability, could see Henderson carve out a larger share of running back snaps in 2026. While Stevenson will still get his, the moves made by New England in free agency suggest an emphasis on getting more productive on early downs and less reliant on Drake Maye to bail the team out of third-and-long scenarios. When healthy, Alijah Vera-Tucker is one of the most disruptive interior linemen in the league, while fullback Reggie Gilliam and tight end Julian Hill add snarl that the team sorely lacked in gotta-have-it situations in 2025.