FOXBOROUGH – Given his skillset, TreVeyon Henderson projects as a third down back, especially in a Patriots offense with Josh McDaniels running the show.
The team’s second-round pick, part of Ohio State’s vaunted backfield, is fast, can catch the ball, and does a good job with blitz pickup.
Perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise one of the players he models his game after.
“James White … shoot, he dang near looked like a receiver,” Henderson said of the former Patriots great. “Man, he was a great running back here.”
Whether its White, or Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs, Henderson studies the best trying to glean any advantage.
“I really try to work on every aspect of my game,” Henderson said Tuesday following the team’s minicamp workout. “Running ball, pass protecting, catching … every aspect of my game, I’m trying to get better.”
Specifically when it comes to White, who set Super Bowl records for receptions and points scored in Super Bowl LI, what impressed him most?
“Really, just his great receiving ability,” Henderson said. “One-on-one matchups, it seems like he was winning every time.
“He was such a great player. He made a huge impact to help this team win games … I want to continue to watch film and study him and learn and grow as a player.”
“Coach McDaniels, he’s a great offensive coordinator. He does a great job featuring the running backs, so the biggest thing, I just want to continue to listen as a player, and take coaching.”
He said he would take on any role to try and help the team win.
The Patriots rookie also made a point of saying the team has done a good job of helping the first-year players adjust.
With the club on a break until training camp, Henderson already has his time off mapped out.
“The biggest thing is just staying in the playbook, and making sure I stay conditioned,” Henderson said. “Once you come in … fall camp comes on you like that. So you don’t want to be thrown off guard and out of shape.”
