Treveyon Henderson is the one rookie yet to sign

[sb1]

I'm not sold on Rham at all as the answer at RB1 in the backfield.

Have no problem trying to upgrade that part of the team in talent and to help carry the load with Rham.

 

[Salsalife]

Backs are way down on the teams priority. Can this Oline function in opening holes for the backs. After we see this plug and play the backs as required. I'm really hoping Vrabel makes a powerful running game a Top priority vs the passing game.

 

[n1997y]

He knows that this is likely the only contract he will ever have based on the average career length of a NFL RB. I applaud him for holding out but this is a reminder that the Pats should have never selected a RB that high to begin with IMO.

It has nothing to do with him being an RB. Article below explains it, including nuances around the Saints’ pick at number 40. It’s worth a read.

Also, thread title is misleading, it should be “only Patriots rookie unsigned” as all but the first two second round picks remain unsigned.

New Details Revealed on Why Patriots’ TreVeon Henderson Will Not Sign Contract

But May turned to June and Henderson still had not signed. At the time, information emerged not only on Henderson, but on all of the second-round picks. Only two had signed by June 1.

The reason, apparently, was that the top two picks of the 2025 NFL draft second round — Cleveland Browns No. 33 overall pick Carson Schwesinger, a linebacker out of UCLA, and former Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins, taken by the Houston Texans at No. 34 — were signed by their teams to fully guaranteed four-year rookie contracts.

According to former NFL player agent Joel Corry, this was an unprecedented move by the two teams (the Texans did it first, followed by Cleveland the next day). Four full years of guaranteed money had previously been reserved for first-round picks.

Now, nearly another three weeks have gone by and neither Henderson nor any of the other 29 unsigned second-rounders have come to terms.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I'm not sold on Rham at all as the answer at RB1 in the backfield.

Have no problem trying to upgrade that part of the team in talent and to help carry the load with Rham.

This is his last shot. The Pats can cut bait on that horrible contract after this season if he doesn't play well.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Do you guys have a Clue what top RB guys are getting these days?
Y'all are complaining about Mondre...
Move along guys, he ain't making ****, and he's pretty damn good.

 

[Wozzy]

This Rhamondre whining is silly… do you know how crappy a job it is for a RB behind one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL and with opposing defenses knowing you can’t pass because Mac Jones sucks balls?

Did he fumble too much, sure, he also got the snot kicked out of him. Give him great blocking, pass the ball well so opponents can’t stack the box. It’s a team game… learn the game.

 

[varjao]

I think getting a RB in the first round is a bit too much, especially for a team with lack of talent all around the roster and with bigger needs, but in the 2nd round, I have no problem using a premium pick on a special player, taking that risk knowing its highly unlikely it wont work out. Maybe they were looking for a WR or another prospect that someone took before them, who knows, what I know is that he's probably the best RB out of the first round and although not a huge need, it was still a need, we need talented players in the offense all around and a good RB helps the QB, the OC, the OL, everyone.

It's funny that I'm hearing here and there things about "the return of the running game", "the return of the emphasys in the running game" and things like that, well for me it never went away, when did the running game was a no factor in the game? I don't recall, a good RB is still a difference maker. The value we can discuss when it comes to free agents, draft picks etc, but I don't have a problem using a 2nd round to secure an above average prospect, when you get RBs in the 4th or 5th round it can still work out but it's more of a gray area.

 

[signbabybrady]

I think getting a RB in the first round is a bit too much, especially for a team with lack of talent all around the roster and with bigger needs, but in the 2nd round, I have no problem using a premium pick on a special player, taking that risk knowing its highly unlikely it wont work out. Maybe they were looking for a WR or another prospect that someone took before them, who knows, what I know is that he's probably the best RB out of the first round and although not a huge need, it was still a need, we need talented players in the offense all around and a good RB helps the QB, the OC, the OL, everyone.

It's funny that I'm hearing here and there things about "the return of the running game", "the return of the emphasys in the running game" and things like that, well for me it never went away, when did the running game was a no factor in the game? I don't recall, a good RB is still a difference maker. The value we can discuss when it comes to free agents, draft picks etc, but I don't have a problem using a 2nd round to secure an above average prospect, when you get RBs in the 4th or 5th round it can still work out but it's more of a gray area.

Good post. I don't think the RBs got devalued due to usefulness on the field. You still need balance and most of the best teams have good running games and typically one of the better backs in the league.

I would say the position devalue has more to do with shelf life and the ability to replace them more easy than most positions. Churn and burn through them is a philosophy most of league adheres too. And with that I'd much rather spend 2nd Rd picks for younger talent than sign one in free agency.

 

[patfanken]

A couple of points:

First, I would NOT get all fired up about Henderson not being signed yet. This is clearly an issue between the agents and the owners over how 2nd round contracts are going to be structured in the future. I recently read where over 20 second rounders are still not signed. So, it's not like it's a "holdout" or anything, a LOT of 2nd rounders are having this issue. It's all about how much guaranteed money there will be in 2nd round contracts. I USED to be less, the agents want more for their players. I don't see it as a problem.

2. There was a time in the NFL when RB's were the top picks in the draft, not QB's. Where RB's were the top played players and not after thoughts who were "churned and burned" like so many fungible commodities to be used and spit out.

I think that we will see a bigger emphasis on the run game going forward as teams like the Ravens and Eagles find continued success, especially as speed continues to get valued over size on defensive fronts and RB's will find themselves getting paid more for the yardage they produce.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Backs are way down on the teams priority. Can this Oline function in opening holes for the backs. After we see this plug and play the backs as required. I'm really hoping Vrabel makes a powerful running game a Top priority vs the passing game.

You will almost certainly get your wish. Vrabel’s philosophy is based upon the premise of “ beat the living **** out of your opponent,” and running the ball is 1/2 if that battle. You don’t dish out the hits by passing the ball, in fact your OL is backpedaling and taking the hits all day when you are throwing the ball 40 times. And nothing helps to develop your OL like dishing out the hits, especially when the 4th quarter rolls around.

 

[TommyD4207]

You will almost certainly get your wish. Vrabel’s philosophy is based upon the premise of “ beat the living **** out of your opponent,” and running the ball is 1/2 if that battle. You don’t dish out the hits by passing the ball, in fact your OL is backpedaling and taking the hits all day when you are throwing the ball 40 times. And nothing helps to develop your OL like dishing out the hits, especially when the 4th quarter rolls around.

Although in fairness, Vrabel never had a QB he could trust to drop back 40 times either.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Although in fairness, Vrabel never had a QB he could trust to drop back 40 times either.

I agree, but I still think throwing the ball all day makes life impossible for your OL.

 

[n1997y]

Although in fairness, Vrabel never had a QB he could trust to drop back 40 times either.

I agree, but I still think throwing the ball all day makes life impossible for your OL.

I immediately thought “or an OL that could be trusted to keep the QB alive through 40 drop backs.”

 

[rkarp1]

zero issue with the player selected and where he was selected.
I also don't have an issue with the Pats taking the road of making a player happy on a relatively small contract.
the team has fallen far from Brady's Pats, when almost everyone wanted to play here. the team now has to build there reputation with the players as a place that treats players really well.
we are talking about 4/$10m. $2.5m AAV. given his draft pedigree, the team is keeping him minimum 2 years, more than likely 3+ years.
so whats the gamble, 1 extra season?

 

[Huckleberry1]

I immediately thought “or an OL that could be trusted to keep the QB alive through 40 drop backs.”

You’re missing the point. By running the ball your OL is dishing out the hits instead of taking them. This wears down defenses and makes your offense more effective in the 3rd and 4th quarters. If you want to play physical football you have to run the ball. If you want a physical team you have to be dishing out the hits on both sides of the ball.

 

[TomPatriot]

You’re missing the point. By running the ball your OL is dishing out the hits instead of taking them. This wears down defenses and makes your offense more effective in the 3rd and 4th quarters. If you want to play physical football you have to run the ball. If you want a physical team you have to be dishing out the hits on both sides of the ball.

People often neglect the disintegrating effect of physical play on both sides of the ball.

 

[Huckleberry1]

People often neglect the disintegrating effect of physical play on both sides of the ball.

I think we are all going to appreciate the change to a violent Patriots team. And adding Henderson and Larison to this backfield is going to do wonders for their effectiveness. Vrabel has made it clear that this is going to be a physical football team, and I can’t wait to see that on the field.

 

[Triumph]

Backs are way down on the teams priority.

Then youve got the Eagles with Barkley, who was a huge contributor in their success. While he did not have a great Super Bowl, the Chiefs had to defend him at all times.

The Ravens had Henry. When he had a certain number of carries the Ravens won the game. Vs the Bills in the postseason, Harbawl chose not to ride Henry to the win column. I am convinced that Baltimore would have beat KC for a trip to the Super Bowl.

The Chiefs were crippled because they could not run the ball in the Super Bowl.

 

[Real fan 02]

Running Backs are the main position that gets screwed on the rookie wage scale.

True. With the production that Barkley and Henry have had they have reset the market for backs. For a few seasons the RB contract had become minimized. These guys take a beating and should be paid correctly. Henderson will sign before camp begins.

 

[Real fan 02]

Then youve got the Eagles with Barkley, who was a huge contributor in their success. While he did not have a great Super Bowl, the Chiefs had to defend him at all times.

The Ravens had Henry. When he had a certain number of carries the Ravens won the game. Vs the Bills in the postseason, Harbawl chose not to ride Henry to the win column. I am convinced that Baltimore would have beat KC for a trip to the Super Bowl.

The Chiefs were crippled because they could not run the ball in the Super Bowl.

Correct on your assessment. The Chiefs focused so much on Barkley that it affected thier coverages. Harbaugh seems as of he wanted to show everyone that Jackson could win a play off game on his own. Why they wouldn't run at that small buffalo front is a mystery.

The RB position is vital. We have 3 good backs that all provide different skill Sets.