Rookie RB Showdown: TreVeyon Henderson vs. Quinshon Judkins

Two backs. Two backfields. One question... Which rookie running back is about to blow up on your fantasy squad? TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins dominated college defenses. Now they've landed themselves in favorable situations, but which running back has the best landing spot in terms of Fantasy Football?

1. College Résumés at a Glance

Player	Career Rushing	Rush TDs	YPC	Rec Yards	Notable Accolades
TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State	3,761 yds	42	6.4	853	2021 Freshman All-American, 96.3 PFF grade on gap runs
Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss → Ohio State	3,785 yds (2,725 at Ole Miss + 1,060 at OSU)	45	5.2	161	2022 SEC Freshman of the Year, 3 fumbles in 600+ touches

Both backs enter the league with top-tier production and explosive tape, but their NFL situations could not be more different.

2. TreVeyon Henderson → New England Patriots

TreVeyon Henderson didn’t just get drafted—he got a role carved out for him. The Patriots brought in Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels to overhaul the offense, and while Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson bring veteran presence, neither profiles like Henderson. With blazing speed, elite hands, and a 96.3 PFF grade on gap runs, Henderson fits McDaniels’ third-down weapon mold to perfection. The Patriots didn’t spend Day 2 capital on him to ride the bench—expect immediate snaps in space, a steady diet of screens, and a chance to grow into more.

Coaching/Scheme

• New HC Mike Vrabel tabbed Josh McDaniels to revive the old Patriots offense—historically a RB-by-committee system with heavy gap concepts and rotating third-down specialists.

• McDaniels has produced only one season in 18 where the same back led in early-down and third-down snaps, so expect rotation.

Offensive Line Outlook

• 2024’s unit ranked dead last in run-blocking grade; NE averaged just 0.7 yards before contact per carry.

• Major overhaul: No. 4 overall pick LT Will Campbell plus veterans Morgan Moses (RT) and Garrett Bradbury (C) signal an immediate upgrade.

Usage Projection

• Depth chart: Rhamondre Stevenson (power/goal-line), Antonio Gibson (early-down mix, if he is on the team to start the season), Henderson (third downs + screens + draw work).

• Expect ~40–50% snap share, with room for 50+ receptions if McDaniels leans into his pass-game chops.

Fantasy Spin

Henderson’s ceiling in PPR comes from chunk plays and receiving volume. He’ll need TD luck (or a Stevenson injury) to crack RB1 territory, but he’s a high-variance flex with week-winning upside.

3. Quinshon Judkins → Cleveland Browns

Jerome Ford took a pay cut to stay on the roster, signaling a reduced role, and Nick Chubb isn’t expected back. That leaves Judkins as the clear early-down option in an offense desperate for stability. With over 600 carries under his belt in college and a bruising, downhill style tailor-made for Kevin Stefanski’s system, the runway is clear for him to hit 200+ touches as a rookie.

Coaching/Scheme

• HC Kevin Stefanski stays, but the Browns promoted Tommy Rees (ex-Notre Dame/Alabama OC) to modernize a unit that finished 32nd in scoring  .

• Stefanski’s wide-zone DNA meets Rees’ RPO/power blend—good news for an early-down grinder like Judkins.

Offensive Line Outlook

• Once elite, the Browns’ front is aging fast: Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller & Jack Conklin all dipped below a 62.0 run-block grade in 2024, and only Dawand Jones is under 30  .

• Free-agent stopgaps Teven Jenkins (G) and Cornelius Lucas (swing T) help, but this unit finished mid-pack (No. 13) by Week 18 despite late-season improvements.

Usage Projection

• Depth chart: Jerome Ford (passing downs), rookie Dylan Sampson (change-of-pace), Judkins (primary early-down hammer).

• Volume floor of 200+ carries is realistic, but limited targets cap his upside unless Rees expands his route tree.

Fantasy Spin

Judkins profiles as a sturdy RB2 in standard leagues—think 900–1,000 rushing yards and 6–8 TDs. In PPR, the gap-in-targets makes him a lower-ceiling play than Henderson.

4. Verdict & Draft Strategy

Format	Prefer	Why
PPR / Half-PPR	TreVeyon Henderson	Receiving role + big-play speed offset committee risk.
Standard / TD-heavy	Quinshon Judkins	Safer carry volume and goal-line equity in a run-centric system.
Dynasty	Slight lean Henderson	Younger OL core and profile as a three-down weapon if he earns trust; Judkins’ ceiling tied to Browns’ looming line rebuild.

Tiebreaker tip:

If you believe Vrabel/McDaniels will still rotate three backs, go with Judkins’ volume safety. If you buy New England’s OL makeover and Henderson’s pass-game spike, chase the swing-for-the-fences outcome.

No matter which rookie you roster, monitor training-camp reports on snap distribution and preseason pass-pro reps—both backs’ Week 1 roles could shift quickly.