Health was a gigantic factor the Patriots 2025 success at both the running back and tight end spots.
A year ago, the trio of Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson and Hunter Henry – three huge weapons in the New England Patriots offensive arsenal – missed a total of three games.
That’s three out of 63, including playoffs and the Super Bowl.
Can that same good fortune be counted on this year? For New England’s sake, it had better be.
The Patriots, as good as they can be with what has to be considered three above-average players in these key spots, are perilously thin, at least on paper, as the players prepare to report to Foxborough for the opening of training camp on Friday.
Henry’s running mate at tight end, Austin Hooper, exited through free-agency. Former Dolphin Julian Hill was brought in to fill the void, only to have that plan derailed in offseason OTAs with what is expected to be a season-ending knee injury.
Enter rookie third-round draft pick Eli Raridon out of Notre Dame. His timeline sped up dramatically, the kid leaped at the opportunities to learn during the spring in mini-camp and OTAs.
“It was awesome, really good learning opportunities,” said Raridon. “We have some really smart dudes in the offense. It’s been awesome this past month to learn from the vets like Hunter Henry and Drake Maye, to see what they have to say about reading defenses. I’ve done a lot of growth but there’s a lot more to do.
“Mentally, things are starting to slow down more than they were at the beginning. I have to work on a lot of things. Seeing guys like Hunter Henry, he’s a vet, he does things great, his details, techniques, fundamentals are on point. I have a long way to get there.”
Henry, who will now assume a larger role than a year ago when he caught 60 of 87 balls thrown his way, likes what he sees so far from Raridon.
“Eli is doing a good job. It’s a lot coming into the league, trying to blend in with older guys, younger guys, the pressure of it, obviously getting drafted,” said Henry, now a sage veteran at age 31 with 11 seasons in the league. “I’ve been through it myself, so he’s been a sponge, trying to soak up as much as he can in the room. He’s getting better day by day. I’m excited to continue to work with him.”
Finding a third running back to fit in behind the Stevenson-Henderson tandem will be a focal point in August as well.
Stevenson and Henderson combined to pile up 1,514 yards and 16 TDs on the ground with 67 catches for 566 yards and three more scores. Those numbers will likely be a goal for the pair in 2026.
As things stand now, four players will be competing for what looks like one roster spot.
Injuries cut the 2025 season short at Alabama for Jam Miller, who was drafted in the seventh round this spring by the Patriots. Built in the Stevenson mold, he runs tough and grinds out the yards between the tackles. He has NFL size at 210 pounds.
Terrell Jennings, a Florida A&M product has held down the fourth or fifth back role in New England, each of the past two seasons, bouncing between the practice squad and the active roster. The good news is that Jennings hung on through the coaching change. He has played in 10 career games.
Lan Larison. the 2025 undrafted free agent out of UC Davis, gets a “re-do” after breaking his foot last summer in camp and spending the year on injured reserve.
After a superb final season at Central Florida, Myles Montgomery, a 5-foot-10, 205-pounder, signed as big a contract as you will see for an undrafted free agent, pulling in nearly $300,000 guaranteed.
Barring injuries or some outside roster move, one of those four will likely make the active roster with one or two headed to the practice squad.
Finally, keep an eye on Reggie Gilliam, a free-agent fullback, who played with the Bills. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has utilized fullbacks like few in the modern game do.