Not every running back transitions effortlessly from being a college football standout to fitting into an NFL offense. In fact, for many, the path is much tougher. They often have to sacrifice their bodies to protect the quarterback during passing plays.
Stars like Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley entered the NFL with the potential to be key players for their teams. But others have carved out vital roles for themselves, primarily due to their determination and skills in pass protection.
Kyren Williams, the running back for the Los Angeles Rams, exemplifies what it means to work hard and stay under the radar. Drafted in 2022 from Notre Dame, he’s rapidly increased his playing time largely because of his dedication to keeping quarterback Matthew Stafford safe.
This year, Williams logged more snaps than any other running back, racking up an impressive 153 pass-blocking attempts—46 more than his closest competitor in the league.
After proving himself as a reliable all-around player, Williams signed a deal this offseason worth $33 million over three years, landing him among the top ten highest-paid running backs. His selection as a second-team All-Pro and his 1,000-plus rushing yards in 2023 are significant achievements, but Rams head coach Sean McVay emphasizes that it’s Williams’ mindset that truly matters to the team.
“He displays the mental and physical toughness we need,” McVay shared with reporters right after the contract was announced. “He brings great energy and is an impactful teammate, both on and off the field.”
Williams isn’t alone in his journey; Aaron Jones had a similar rise with the Green Bay Packers before making his way to the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. Drafted in the fifth round from UTEP in 2017, Jones became known for his efficiency as a runner, but it was his prowess in pass protection that helped unlock much of the Packers’ offensive potential.
In one of his last games against the Packers during the 2024 wild card, Jones played a crucial role in supporting Jordan Love’s passing game by effectively blocking blitzers.
Among his stats, Jones even caught the attention of All-Pro Edge Player Micah Parsons, who spoke on a postseason podcast about his surprise at Jones’ pass protection skills, noting that “It was remarkable. I didn’t expect him to handle me that well.”
And now, there are emerging running backs aiming to stand out for their capabilities in pass protection and secure more prominent roles within their offenses.
Take Henderson, for example. Although he was a key player on Ohio State’s national championship run, he impressively prioritized blocking for his teammates throughout his college career, which certainly had a positive impact in the locker room.
While it’s a bit early in the process, Henderson’s work ethic has already caught the eye of the Patriots after they picked him 38th in the 2025 NFL Draft. He has shown promising signs of being a breakout star, especially noted for his commitment to pass protection during the NFL preseason.
His determination was also evident during intense practice sessions, leading to a notable moment when he was involved in a physical altercation with players from the Washington Commanders.
Following the incident, Patriots quarterback Drake May praised Henderson’s relentless spirit. “Pass protection is physical and things happen,” May acknowledged. “Of course, we don’t want fights, but we also can’t shy away from competition. It’s about how we want to play.”
The Patriots already have solid veterans in the backfield like Ramondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson, yet Henderson’s impressive preseason performance is making it hard for the team to overlook him.
Given the history of running backs who demonstrate this kind of grit in pass protection, it may not be long before fans see Henderson making a significant impact for the Patriots.
