Patriots training camp picked up steam with a highly competitive practice on Saturday, where rookie playmakers TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams were featured prominently.
New England drafted the Ohio State running back and Washington State receiver on the second day of the 2025 NFL Draft last April. The goal was for the first-year skill players to bring a big play element to the offense, and we've already seen that come to life on the practice field through four days of training camp. Henderson has been heavily involved in passing periods, while Williams is seeing time with second-year QB Drake Maye. Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, and Kayshon Boutte have been a prominent trio in the first week of camp, but Williams is also involved.
Starting with Henderson, OC Josh McDaniels is trying to find ways to get the speedy second-rounder mismatches in space. The former Buckeye is running routes from all over the formation, is being used in the screen game, and on outside runs. On Saturday, Henderson was separating on his downfield opportunities, capping off practice with a long completion from QB Joshua Dobbs. Maye and Henderson also nearly connected on a wheel route earlier that fell just incomplete, as the two continue to build chemistry to get their timing and placement down in these early days.
"It's going good. We're getting better as a team, I'm getting better, and the staff here is pushing me a lot," Henderson told reporters after Saturday's practice. "I'm thankful to be here and thankful to continue to work to get better."
With the first four practices taking place without pads, there's a bigger emphasis on the passing game during this portion of training camp. As a result, we've gotten glimpses into the plan to utilize the 38th overall pick in the 2025 draft as a pass-catcher, an area where Henderson excels. One way Henderson could contribute is by hunting mismatches as a flexed-out receiver, which was the case when Henderson got behind a linebacker on a stutter-and-go for the previously mentioned connection with Dobbs toward the end of Saturday's practice.
"I feel like I always had that ability, but I didn't get too many opportunities to really excel at that position [in college], you know, flexing outside. I'm just thankful that they're giving me the opportunity to showcase that, and I'm just trying to continue to work at it," Henderson said. "Coach McDaniels loves to get the playmakers out into space. I feel like that's one of the strengths of my game, getting out into space into those one-on-one matchups."
Another way the Patriots might try to amplify Henderson's speed is by utilizing him on kickoffs. Henderson has been paired with veteran RB Antonio Gibson as a returner during special teams periods. In college, Henderson had nine career kickoff returns for 86 yards, with eight of those returns coming in his final season at Ohio State. With the NFL's kickoff rules differing from the college game, it's an adjustment for the rookie, but one can easily see how he'd be a dangerous return man.
"It's going well. I know the rules are different. I'm still trying to work on that as well, returning those kicks, fielding those kicks. Got to continue to get better," Henderson said. When asked if he sees himself excelling as a kickoff returner at this level, Henderson added, "Yeah, for sure."
Along with the Patriots second-round running back making a strong first impression, third-round wideout Kyle Williams began camp on the right foot. On Wednesday, Williams hauled in two passes from Maye on the first day of camp, including reeling in a back-shoulder pass with All-Pro CB Christian Gonzalez in coverage. Williams has been primarily playing on the outside and rotating in as a kickoff returner as the Pats coaches evaluate his future role.
"It just stems from the offseason. Just getting constant work and understanding each other and being able to trust me when those types of routes are called," Williams said of his connection with Maye on the first day of camp. "We have talks about whatever sticks out to him. We just have those conversations [to build chemistry]."
As a Maryland native, Williams told reporters his favorite player was teammate Stefon Diggs, who played college football at the University of Maryland. Williams has been picking Diggs's brain since the spring, with the four-time Pro Bowler mentoring the 69th overall pick in last April's draft.
"It's been a blessing. That's my favorite receiver," Williams said. "When he was coming out of Maryland, I remember it was a highlight video. I just kept watching it every day, and I was like, look at us today. He was just different. He was crafty. I mean, something about him just stuck out to me."
The hope is that the Patriots day-two draft picks at the skill positions will bring some much-needed explosiveness to the offense. Although it's been quieter in terms of targets for Williams over the last few days, he's had opportunities, as has Henderson, who has started to get more involved in the last few practices. Rookies always have ups and downs in their first training camps, but these two playmakers have passed the initial eye test.
With the team beginning padded practices next week, it's all about stacking good days for New England's rookie class.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
