The New England Patriots' offense hasn't exactly been a mecca for fantasy football superstars in the post-Tom Brady era, but there is some optimism that Drake Maye's second season at quarterback could produce some more balanced scoring.
And a rookie second-round draft pick might be at the center of all of it.
TreyVeon Henderson made multiple highlight-reel plays and looks the part of a breakout star, according to MassLive Patriots insider Mark Daniels.
“Coach McDaniels has been doing a good job of giving all of us opportunities to get out in space, especially running backs,” Henderson said. “I’ve been definitely trying to grow and get better at that. It was a nice pass from Drake. Nice to come down with it. It was a good play.”
Henderson, 22, was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 38th overall pick out of Ohio State. The 5-foot-10, 202-pounder, produced two seasons of 1,000 yards rushing with 1,248 yards in 2021 and 1,016 in 2024.
The Patriots offense in 2024 was largely considered one of the worst in the NFL, with their scoring and yardage numbers placing them near the bottom of the league. They finished the season with a 4-13 record and were ranked 31st in total offense, including 31st in yards per game, averaging 292.0 yards, and 30th in points per play.
More reason for optimism stems from the return of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, one of the best OCs at marrying run and play-action passes. In his previous stint with the Pats from 2016 to 2021, his offenses ranked eighth in yards per play-action pass attempt (9.0 yards). Over his last three full seasons of work, McDaniels's rush offenses have ranked eighth, ninth, and fifth in DVOA.