Some Patriots and NFL-related news on this Monday:
1) One story that continues flying under the radar is the fact that second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson remains unsigned heading into training camp. Some might think it’s not a big deal and that something will eventually get done. However, it looks like it might be a bigger problem than some might think.
Billy Heyen of Yahoo! Sports wrote a piece over the weekend looking at this situation, which has 30-of-32 second-round picks currently not under contract. Based on how things have gone so far, it feels like the league is facing a significant challenge heading into training camp.
In fact, it’s going to be interesting to see just how many guys from that round ultimately end up signing a deal as their teams get started next week.
The problem started largely due to a recent precedent that was set by two clubs. The Houston Texans gave second-round wideout Jayden Higgins a fully-guaranteed deal, which was the first domino to fall. The Browns, then followed that up by also giving their second-round pick, linebacker Carson Schwesinger, a fully guaranteed deal.
In the Browns’ case, they were stuck due to the fact Schwesinger went at the top of the round, with Higgins going right behind him. Since Higgins’ deal was guaranteed, they didn’t have much of a choice.
The problem is, those two deals have brought everything to a screeching halt.
Now, everyone appears to be dug in, and the likelihood that the Patriots will be faced with this issue is a real possibility. Henderson went as the sixth selection out of that group and he’s certainly highly-touted, so the odds are pretty good his camp will probably push the same issue. The only question will be whether or not he’ll be present to begin training camp, which is what the rest of the teams seem to be bracing for.
Mike Florio of ProFootball Talk also addressed the issue, noting that prior to this year, no second-round pick had received a fully guaranteed deal. The Texans appear to have opened up Pandora’s Box, and the rest of the league, including the Patriots, have been forced into a staredown waiting to see who blinks first.
Henderson is considered to be a player who the team has big expectations for, with Eliot Wolf praising the Ohio State standout from the moment he was drafted.
“There was no disagreement on TreVeyon,” said Wolf after the draft. “It was like, ‘This is the guy.’ So we were excited to add him there.”
“Really, really fast, explosive, just a threat to score every time,” he added. “And the right kind of kid and super tough.”
Now he just has to get him signed, which given this news, is a key question heading into next week’s start of training camp.
2) It sounds like the Browns might be added to the group of teams with a domed stadium.
Ben Volin pointed out in his Sunday notes that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has been pushing for Cleveland’s new stadium to potentially be a domed facility, and it appears there’s a chance it might come to fruition.
According to Volin, the new facility is said to be making progress, with the Browns potentially building their new home outside of the city itself, with a plot of land near Cleveland’s airport as the potential site. They apparently also have the state funds, and it’s possible that this new domed stadium could be open as soon as 2029.
Meanwhile, it’s unclear how Browns fans feel about that potential decision, given that the hardcore fans usually like having the weather and the elements to provide at least some advantage. Although given their struggles, that’s definitely a tough part to argue since they haven’t had much luck in recent years.
One would have to think that while the Browns continue trying to turn things around, it would probably be a little easier to sit through in a 70-degree environment. Based on the sounds of things, that might indeed be in their future.
3) Mike Reiss of ESPN caught up with 2025 Draft Pick Jared Wilson’s offensive line coach Stacy Searels, who provided some good insight on his former player.
Searels praised Wilson’s versatility, which is something he believes will make him a valuable asset here in New England.
“I’ve had nine or 10 centers go and play in the NFL, and Jared is the most athletic of any of them,” Searels told Reiss. “He has the tools to really be good.”
Searels also gave Wilson high marks for his understanding of the game, along with his ability to read what the defense is doing and make the necessary adjustments. He also believes that Wilson has the ability to play both center and guard, and also pointed out that Wilson has even played tackle.
As it currently stands, he’s expected to compete with veteran Garrett Bradbury at center, and it sounds like he could be in the mix at the left guard battle with Cole Strange as well.
4) One player who is definitely going to be in the spotlight during training camp is Rhamondre Stevenson, who has a lot to prove coming off a tough 2024 campaign.
Scott Zolak talked about him last week on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak and Bertrand, noting that he’s a guy he’s going to be watching intently in the coming weeks.
“I’m watching Stevenson,” said Zolak. “I’m going to watch him all camp to see did he get a little burst back? Because I think when he’s right and he’s fed the ball, he gets better as the game goes on. I’ve seen it. I’ve called games with him. Something was off. Something was off last year, whether the head wasn’t ending or was the body not feeling right.”
Zolak also believes the group they have currently is pretty good, and he believes Henderson might push Stevenson when things finally get underway.
“Maybe drafting this kid gives him a little kick in the a**,” said Zolak. “But I do think, 17-game schedule, you’re going to need multiple backs. You need guys. [Antonio] Gibson ran hard. I think Gibson’s a hard runner. They’re pretty good at the backs. They’re okay. I have no problems with the backs.”
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
Stephenson had to run behind a bad o-line and vs a D that put 8 or 9 in the box. As a by-product, Stephenson had a stats average of getting “first contact” at -0.9 yards. That is bad. He not only had to run through the loaded box but the D hit him the backfield. After a ton of that, it’s no wonder he’d not be looking so hot. Not many RB’s would.