When the 49ers were able to break the standstill on second-round rookies signing deals, a flurry of second-round signings was sure to follow, but it wasn’t expected to affect the second-rounders up top who were hoping to bargain for a fully guaranteed deal based off Saints quarterback Tyler Shough‘s lead. Lo and behold, Shough remains unsigned, yet the guaranteed deals are flowing in for the picks above him, the latest of which is Ohio State second-round running back TreVeyon Henderson, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 
Henderson arrived in Columbus as a five-star recruit out of Hopewell HS (VA), the top running back recruit in the country. As a true freshman, Henderson was immediately RB1 in an offense featuring C.J. Stroud at quarterback and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Emeka Egbuka at receiver. In Year 1, Henderson led the rushing offense with 1,248 yards on 183 carries with 15 touchdowns on the ground, adding 312 yards and four more scores on 27 receptions.
2022 saw Henderson limited to only eight games after suffering a fractured sesamoid bone, which reportedly split into three and tore ligaments and tendons around the bone. He came back with vengeance in his junior year, rebounding with a solid 926 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, while missing three more games with injury. Despite a lightened load in 2024 with the arrival of fellow second-round pick Quinshon Judkins, Henderson improved his numbers from the prior year. Judkins led the team with 194 carries, 1,060 yards, and 14 touchdowns, but on 50 fewer carries, Henderson still put up 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Henderson deserves a lot of credit for how he handled himself in his four years with the Buckeyes. After having the stellar freshman All-American season, getting derailed by a major injury, and pushing through more injury as a junior, Henderson could’ve been intimidated by the arrival of Judkins from Ole Miss and ceded the offense to the newcomer. Instead, Henderson pushed Judkins every step of the way, making sure Judkins knew that they were sharing the starting role. His faith, maturity, and unselfishness made him an easy choice for team captain last year.
At 5-foot-10, 200+ pounds, Henderson is a stout runner who tends more to seek contact than make tacklers miss, though he does have a few good moves. He tends to always find tacklers off-center, allowing him to fall forward for extra yards. He’s a tough runner with great hands, highlighted by only two fumbles in four years, both of which came in his first two years and both of which didn’t result in turnovers.
In New England, Henderson will once again work in a committee, joining Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson in the Patriots backfield. The Patriots are no strangers to the running-back-by-committee approach, and Henderson should blend in well with the group. He could end up being an upgrade at RB2 over Gibson or even take over starting duties over Stevenson, or the three could form a three-headed attack that feeds the offense for young quarterback Drake Maye.
With Henderson being the last of the Patriots’ 11 rookies to sign his entry contract, the class is now complete. Here’s a final look at New England’s 2025 rookie draft class:
- Round 1, No. 4: Will Campbell (T, LSU) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 38: TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 69: Kyle Williams (WR, Washington State) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 95 (from Chiefs): Jared Wilson (C, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 106: Craig Woodson (S, Cal) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 137 (from Seahawks)*: Joshua Farmer (DT, Florida State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 146 (from Patriots): Bradyn Swinson (OLB, LSU) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 182 (from Jaguars through Lions): Andres Borregales (K, Miami) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 220: Marcus Bryant (T, Missouri) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 251 (from Chiefs)*: Julian Ashby (LS, Vanderbilt) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 257 (from Chiefs)*: Kobee Minor (CB, Memphis) (signed)
