Ravens A 'Best Potential Free Agent Fit' For Derrick Henry
The Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry have long been connected to each other, but will that tandem ever come to fruition?
ESPN listed the best fits for potential free agents, and they had the long-time rumors of Henry becoming a Raven coming to fruition, as they predicted Baltimore would sign the four-time Pro Bowler during free agency.
Derrick Henry
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"There's an opening here, and Henry could star as the lead back in Todd Monken's offense," ESPN writes. "Even if his overall play speed is starting to decline, he can still find the end zone. Henry had 12 rushing scores last season with the Titans, and he'd upgrade the Ravens' run game when paired with QB Lamar Jackson."
The tampering period begins on Monday at noon, and players can officially be signed on Wednesday.
Henry was once one of the best running backs in football, as he led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns twice. His play led to him making first-team All-Pro and being named the 2020 Offensive Player of the Year.
After a foot injury limited Henry to eight games in 2021, he rebounded to run for 1,538 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2022. He had a down year by his standards on a struggling Titans team, running for 1,167 yards, though he still scored 12 touchdowns.
Running back is a need for the Ravens, even after they led the league in rushing yards per game (156.5) last season. Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins are set to his free agency, though the Ravens after other key free agents on the offensive line and defense.
The thought of pairing Henry and Lamar Jackson could make for one of the more dynamic quarterback-running back duos in football, but it's a deal the Ravens should only make if it's team-friendly. With its other needs and not much cap space, Baltimore should dedicate much of its resources to keeping the offensive line and defense together.
If Henry takes a team-friendly contract, a deal for Baltimore makes plenty of sense, but if signing him costs the Ravens key pieces on both sides of the ball, it's a deal that likely isn't worth making.
