Standing 6’3, weighing in at 247 lbs., Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry has established himself as one of the scariest players in today’s NFL. With outstanding break-away speed for his size and an intimidating stiff arm, the Alabama product boasts over 8,700 rushing yards and 81 rushing touchdowns for his career.
That being said, Henry is only a few weeks from his 30th birthday, and the Titans’ offense has become uninspiring with or without him. With the NFL trade deadline just around the corner, some teams are looking to court the three-time All-Pro star in moving out of Tennessee.
Here are a few good places for King Henry to get a new start.
Best Places for Tennessee’s Derrick Henry
Detroit Lions
Despite suffering a blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens this past Sunday, the Detroit Lions have made significant improvements from last season. The offensive line, starring Penei Sewell, has become one of the league’s best-blocking cores in the current campaign. Plus, quarterback Jared Goff is looking like the 2022 version of himself. Going 5-2 in the first seven games of the season is nothing to sneeze.
While running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are both showing superstar potential, adding Henry to the mix could further bolster this already formidable offense. He would not only add depth to the position but he can also become a handy weapon in sticky situations.
Minnesota Vikings
In a manner similar to their division rivals, the Lions, the Minnesota Vikings have a solid offensive line and a quarterback with a Pro Bowl season in the making. With their upset victory over San Francisco, the Vikings are well on their way to turning around their season. But their window to reach the Super Bowl is closing on them quickly. In addition, they currently sit at 3-4 with the Lions holding the NFC North at their mercy.
If Minnesota can convince Henry to move north, he and Cam Akers can form a potent running-back tandem that can keep the chains moving. However, negotiating assets and/or draft capital could prove tricky. It will be interesting to see what the Vikings are willing to give up to recruit the Titans star.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have consistently had a very strong ground attack, standing in the top five over the last five seasons. That coupled with a strong defense has put Baltimore at the top of a brutal AFC North division. But the Ravens running back core has had a difficult time staying healthy, especially J.K. Dobbins. Not to mention dual-threat signal caller, Lamar Jackson, will not be able to do his thing forever. So how does Baltimore solve these problems?
If Henry starts dawning the purple and black, he will be able to take some of the workload off of Jackson and help bolster a thin, running back roster. Henry and Gus Edwards could be a much-needed one-two punch in Baltimore’s run-heavy scheme. With the Ravens’ offensive line performing day in and day out, Henry could kick it up a notch behind some dependable blocking.
Denver Broncos
It is a long stretch to consider the Denver Broncos as a contender for the King Henry sweepstakes. But this idea may not be as farfetched as one might think. Yes, the Broncos are sitting at 2-5, and the defense took a significant dive from last year’s efforts. But the offense is showing bright spots in the passing game.
Adding Henry would bring a vital boost to the running back crew. Not only would this increase production on the ground, but the young backs on the roster could learn from one of the best players at the running back position. Plus, Henry will definitely take some of the pressure off of quarterback Russell Wilson. However, Denver may have to relinquish some players/draft picks to acquire Henry. The Broncos ought to tread carefully if they officially commit to trade talks
