Patriots Rookie TreVeyon Henderson Struggles in Unexpected Area
The Patriots drafted Henderson with confidence in his pass protection, but his latest performance raises questions about that part of his game.
New England Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson is facing difficulties in pass protection, a skill that was once seen as one of his strengths. The NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein had even described Henderson as potentially the best pass-protecting running back in his draft class. However, Henderson's performance in pass situations has been poor, receiving an 8.6 grade out of 100, which is the lowest among all Patriots offensive players.
Henderson, who had rushed for nine yards on three attempts in Thursday night's loss to the Chicago Bears, was completely unplayable in passing situations. His struggles could limit his opportunities, as running backs need to offer more than just big-play potential. With his explosiveness, Henderson was initially a player capable of making an impact in multiple ways.
However, the ability to recognize pressure and protect the quarterback becomes crucial on passing downs. Henderson's performance is also impacted by a high ankle sprain he sustained in Week 5, which could be affecting his play. Despite these challenges, the Patriots still have reasons to utilize Henderson's speed and playmaking ability.
But, improving in pass protection would be key for Henderson to become a reliable contributor in more situations.
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