Ravens RB Derrick Henry Adds to Baltimore's List of Offensive Playmakers
The Baltimore Ravens agreed to terms on a two-year, $16 million contract with former Alabama Crimson Tide and Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry on Tuesday.
In maybe the strongest free agent market for running backs in a while, Henry was considered by many to be the top prize.
After other top names flew off the shelf on as Monday's "legal tampering period" began, Henry and the Ravens remained quiet. But on Tuesday, the deal was made and shook not just the rest of the AFC North, but the entire football landscape.
Henry joins a Ravens offense with more than one playmaker.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson - the NFL's reigning MVP - is perhaps playmaker No. 1. The former Louisville Cardinal and Heisman Trophy winner is fresh off his second MVP award for a season he completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 3,678 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Jackson was also the team's leading rusher with 148 carries for 821 yards and five more scores.
Last year's first-round draft pick, Boston College wideout Zay Flowers emerged as a go-to target for Jackson. Flowers caught 77 passes for 858 yards and five touchdowns. Flowers should enter 2024 as the WR1 for Baltimore and improve on those numbers.
Wide receiver Rashod Bateman - another former first-round receiver for the Ravens - had a reduced role last season after the signing of Odell Beckham Jr. Beckham will most likely be gone this year, restoring Bateman to possible playmaker status. In 2023, the former Minnesota Golden Gopher caught 32 passes for 367 yards and one touchdown. Playing opposite Flowers next season should give him more opportunities.
Tight end Mark Andrews was injured last year and missed the final seven games of the season as well as the Wild Card game against Houston. Andrews was always a favorite target of Jackson, and even after playing a partial season last year, caught 45 passes for 544 yards and six scores.
Henry adds another gear to the rushing attack.
Last season, Baltimore went into Week 1 with J.K. Dobbins as the lead rusher. Dobbins was lost for the season with an Achilles tear. In his stead, Gus Edwards, who's headed to the Chargers, performed well. Keaton Mitchell played well until his season-ending injury, as did Justice Hill.
Henry ran for 1,167 yards on 280 carries last year behind an inferior line to what he'll enjoy in Baltimore. And his 4.2 yards per carry will help open the passing attack for Jackson, Flowers and Company.
Heading into offensive coordinator Todd Monken's second season in Baltimore, Henry will add an element to the offense and running game that the team hasn't enjoyed in a long time - and give John Harbaugh yet another playmaker.
