Mark Daniels: Have Patriots finally weaponized the offense?

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Mark Daniels: Have Patriots finally weaponized the offense?

Mark Daniels · MassLive

Sat, Apr 26, 2025 ·

5 min read

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FOXBOROUGH – On Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Patriots drafted two offensive playmakers who aren't shy about their abilities.

Asked to describe their game, Patriots second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson and third-round selection Kyle Williams showed similar levels of confidence.

"I'd say I'm fast, I'm explosive. I'm good in one-on-one matchups," Henderson said. "My receiving ability, my blocking, I pretty much can do it all."

"I would describe it as versatile, game-changing, and electric," Williams added.

That must have been music to Drake Maye 's ears.

It's also a reflection of the Patriots brass trying to fix the issues they failed to rectify a year ago. After Day 2 of the draft wrapped up, with the Patriots selecting Henderson, Williams, and center Jared Wilson , Eliot Wolf said it was important for the team to add more speed to their offense.

"Yeah, that's definitely an emphasis. All four of the guys who we picked can run," Wolf said. "It probably doesn't matter as much for the offense linemen unless there's a turnover. But the two skilled players we drafted, even Kyle, ran a 4.4, TreVeyon ran a 4.41, but I think when you watch the film, I think we both expect those guys to run faster. I think their play speed is really what stands out about them, too."

That goal is very similar to what Wolf wanted to achieve last offseason. The failure to do so is why the Patriots entered this offseason with similar goals and needs.

During the 2024 NFL Combine, Wolf stood at a podium and explained what the Patriots needed to do that offseason.

"We need to weaponize the offense," Wolf said. "We need to be faster and more explosive on defense and, you know, height, weight speed, playmaking ability, there'll definitely be an emphasis on those things."

As that offseason went on, the results were less than desirable. The same can be said for the team's play last fall.

The Patriots whiffed on receivers in free agency, signing K.J. Osborn , who they later released. They double-dipped at receiver in the draft, selecting Ja'Lynn Polk in Round 2 and Javon Baker in Round 4. The embarrassment of passing over Ladd McConkey (82 receptions, 1,149 yards, and seven touchdowns) was only made worse by Polk and Baker's lack of production – 13 receptions for 99 yards and three downs combined.

The Patriots receivers struggled to separate, leading to Maye relying on tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper as his security blankets. With shaky pass protection and below-average pass catchers, it was a tough season for the Patriots offense. It didn't help that running back Rhamondre Stevenson struggled with ball security, fumbling seven times.

The Patriots lacked elite offensive weapons.

That brought us to the 2025 offseason with a new head coach, Mike Vrabel. This time around, at least on paper, the Patriots seem to have weaponized the offseason. At receiver, they added Pro Bowler Stefon Diggers and veteran Mack Hollins . On Friday, they added a dynamic outside receiver in Williams.

Williams, who ran a 4.40 40-yard dash, averaged 17.1 yards per reception last season. He also excelled against man coverage. His nine touchdowns against man coverage were the most in college football, according to Pro Football Focus.

Wolf said the receiver's performance against man-to-man coverage was a big appeal to them.

"Quite a bit," Wolf said His ability to win off the line, his releases, accelerating, his ability to stem guys at the top of the route, there's still some things he needs to work on and clean up... But that was something that stood out throughout the process.

The additions of Diggs, Hollins, and Williams is a sign that the Patriots didn't like what they saw from their rookies and some veterans last season. The team now heads into the spring with 10 receivers on the roster.

At the top of the second round, Wolf said several teams were calling the Patriots about trying to trade up to their pick. However, the team didn't want to lose out on Henderson. The Ohio State running back didn't fumble in the last two seasons. He fumbled twice in his collegiate career but recovered both. On top of that, he has game-changing ability. Henderson averaged 7.1 yards per carry last season.

"Extremely productive player, extremely good speed, pass protection, pass game, although he's a little bit undersized, we view him as a three-down back, just a really good compliment," Wolf said. He is a threat with the ball in his hands and speed to take it the distance anytime he touches the ball."

Those qualities were missing in the Patriots offense last season. Their leading rusher, Stevenson, finished 26th in the NFL in rushing (801 yards). Their leading receiver, Hunter Henry, finished 53rd in the league in yards. The team didn't have a single wide receiver finish in the top 50 in the league in receiving yards.

After finishing tied for last in scoring in 2023 (13.9 points), the Patriots offense finished 30th last season, scoring 17.0 points per game.

The results weren't good enough, which is why the Patriots tried, once again, to weaponize the offense this offseason.

After Friday, the hope is they finally achieve that goal.

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