In the wake of the 2025 NFL Draft, Indianapolis Colts General Manager Chris Ballard made waves with a candid admission about New England Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, acknowledging that the team may have underestimated his draft stock and upside.
Speaking during a post-draft press conference, Ballard praised the Patriots’ aggressive move to secure Henderson, saying, “We liked him. We didn’t think he’d go that early — but now I get it. The kid’s got something special.” His comments have triggered discussion across league circles, as the former Ohio State standout continues to draw comparisons to elite backs with his unique blend of speed, vision, and toughness.
Sources close to the Colts front office revealed that Henderson was high on their draft board, but the team prioritized other needs early on. “We thought he’d be there later. We were wrong,” one scout admitted.
Henderson, selected by New England in the second round, is already making noise in Foxborough with impressive OTA sessions and rave reviews from coaches. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo described him as “a spark plug we needed,” highlighting his versatility both as a runner and receiver.
While the Colts are confident in their own backfield depth, Ballard’s frankness underscores just how much respect Henderson is commanding before even playing a down. For a rookie to provoke this kind of reaction from a rival GM? That speaks volumes.
The Patriots may have struck gold — and the rest of the AFC, including Indianapolis, knows it.