You should drop this player...

By: Josh Frey-Sam

It wasn’t supposed to go like this.

There was too much working in TreVeyon Henderson’s favour for him to flop in his rookie year.

We’re only seven weeks into the regular season — so there’s still time for things to turn around — but the New England Patriots’ highly touted running back has been a certified bust for fantasy football.

Most of us selected Henderson in the fifth round of our drafts, and we were giddy about it at the time.

I liked him so much, he was an honourable mention on my “My Guys” Brief in the pre-season.

Since then, it’s really been nothing but disappointment.

One week with double-digit points in half-PPR leagues, and no games with more than 32 rushing yards or 30 receiving yards.

Frankly, I think I speak for all Henderson owners when I say I could sleep peacefully knowing he just wasn’t cut out for the NFL.

But that’s the problem. We don’t have that answer yet because he’s hardly had any opportunity.

His season-high in snap count is 34 (Week 3), and his best snap share is 50 per cent (Week 5).

The real kick in the nuts came after Sunday’s game, though, when a video of head coach Mike Vrabel saying, “I think we found our five-minute back” while dapping up Terrell Jennings, made its way across the fantasy world.

Who is Terrell Jennings, you might ask.

An undrafted second-year player out of Florida A&M, who was called up from the practice squad two weeks ago.

Yup, welcome to being an owner of TreVeyon Henderson.

Jennings not only touched the ball more than Henderson — five to two — but he matched him in snaps (nine).

Henderson’s lack of opportunity is truly one of the great mysteries of the 2025 season, so far.

Coming into draft season, everything screamed “fantasy stud".

First, the skillset. As a loyal fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes, I had the pleasure of watching Henderson grow over four years. He can run in between the tackles, and he’s an excellent pass catcher.

His play speed is also almost second-to-none — he’s a homerun waiting to happen, which is why he drew comparisons to Jahmyr Gibbs ahead of the draft.

The best part? He was one of the most touted pass-protecting running backs to come out of college in recent memory — a skill that is sure to earn him more snaps.

Then there’s the situation. The Patriots were a team with a new, competent head coach who wants to run the ball, a franchise quarterback and an improved offensive line. The only person standing between him and a workhorse treatment was Rhamondre Stevenson, who is a solid talent in his own right, but has struggled mightily with fumbles in his career.

It seemed like the leash could be short for ‘Mondre, and Henderson’s path to fantasy superstardom was paved.

Thirdly, the draft capital. Historically, you can bet your hard-earned money that a running back selected on the first two days of the draft is going to see a significant role in the offence.

Henderson, need I remind you, was a second-round pick. Clearly, the organization believed in what they saw and envisioned him to have a role.

And as a bonus point, his fantasy draft stock wasn’t anything too crazy either. A fifth-round pick in most drafts, Henderson was drafted as a relatively low-risk, high-reward RB2. He was an easy pick for me, given his ceiling and the fact that I didn’t need to spend much to get him.

So, what gives? Frankly, it’s a question I’m still trying to figure out myself.

Maybe Henderson is sleeping with Vrabel’s wife. I kid, but seriously, what else could it be?

I will say Henderson hasn’t quite lived up to the pass-protection hype early on. I can recall seeing him called for four different holding penalties in the first few weeks, which is a good way to get pulled off the field.

‘Mondre, outside of his persistent fumbling issues, has also been decent against subpar competition, while the Pats have jumped out to a 5-2 record.

In short, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

That brings us to the ultimate question, and how we’ll finish up today’s Brief.

Is Henderson a hold or a drop?

If I’m being honest, it’s the latter. If I’m also being honest, I’m stubborn enough that I’m going to continue holding, in hopes he has a second half for the ages.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh