Running back Derrick Henry has spent his entire career with one team, but that is going to change in the next month or two. After leading the league in carries for the fourth time in five years, the 30-year-old Henry is officially set to hit the open market. While the four-time Pro Bowler is at the end of his career, the Titans are about to enter a rebuild. With a second-year quarterback, first-year head coach, and not much else, the Titans are going to need a few years before they’re ready to compete for anything.
Henry and the Titans have all but publicly stated that the two sides will not be reuniting in 2024. There is no animosity here, as this mutual breakup makes sense for both sides. However, it does mean that Derrick Henry will be looking for his next team, and one organization has overwhelming odds to sign him in free agency.
According to the latest betting lines, the Baltimore Ravens have +175 odds to sign the four-time Pro Bowler. Other teams in the running for Derrick Henry’s next team are the Dallas Cowboys (+550), Philadelphia Eagles (+650), and Houston Texans (+750).
Derrick Henry Next Team: Betting Odds Show Clear Frontrunner
It’s easy to see why the Baltimore Ravens are clear favorites to be Derrick Henry’s next team. After battling injuries at the running back position for years now, the team would love to have some stability at the position. While Henry has plenty of mileage at this point in his career, it’s clear that he is the outlier. While he might not be the same player from his All-Pro 2020 campaign, he’s still a Pro Bowl-level running back despite taking over 2,000 carries in his professional career. Additionally, he found a way to be productive behind a poor offensive line with no other real threats in the offense. He should be far more dangerous behind Baltimore’s offensive line with Lamar Jackson as his quarterback.
The Ravens, meanwhile, have a glaring need at running back. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are both free agents, and both players carry a decent amount of risk. Dobbins is coming off a season-ending Achilles injury, while Edwards is nothing more than a replacement-level starter. Derrick Henry would be a perfect fit for this team, and Baltimore could easily be his next home.
The biggest hurdle here is the money. At his age, Derrick Henry isn’t going to break the bank, but he should still earn a decent salary from his next team. The Ravens have a small army of impending free agents, including but not limited to Justin Madubuike, Jadeveon Clowney, Kevin Zeitler, Patrick Queen, and Geno Stone. Ultimately, the Ravens might not have enough money to give Henry the contract he deserves.
The Other Betting Favorites
Dallas Cowboys (+550)
The Dallas Cowboys believe in the power of a workhorse running back, and they didn’t have one of those last year. Tony Pollard couldn’t handle a full three-down workload, and the Cowboys might not want to re-sign him in free agency. If they decide to move on, Derrick Henry would be the ideal next starting running back for this team. The 6′-3″, 247-pound battering ram of a man should tear through defenses while running behind this elite offensive line. While Saquon Barkley might be a better fit due to his pass-catching abilities, Henry is the best pure runner in free agency.
Philadelphia Eagles (+650)
D’Andre Swift made the Pro Bowl and put up good numbers for the Philadelphia Eagles. However, Carolina Panthers fans will tell you that you don’t need to be a talented running back to produce behind Philadelphia’s offensive line. Swift had one of the lowest broken tackle rates in the league last year, and this team could use a more physical runner to pair with Jalen Hurts’ elusive style of play. Derrick Henry is a perfect choice for this team and could be the next 1,500-yard rusher in this scheme.
Houston Texans (+750)
If any team knows how dangerous Derrick Henry can be, it’s the Houston Texans. After spending the past eight seasons facing him two times per year, the organization would probably love to have him on their sideline. C.J. Stroud is the real deal, and this team has an abundance of cap space. After making the AFC Divisional Round last year, this team should be all-in on Stroud’s rookie window, and Henry will be a major upgrade over Devin Singletary and Dameon Pierce.
Main Photo: Denny Simmons – USA Today Sports
