The Baltimore Ravens are having a great start to the off-season coming off the heels of a devastating playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Baltimore was the Superbowl favorite until they ran into a buzzsaw- Patrick Mahomes. Although a bitter finish, time heals all wounds. Nonetheless, the Ravens want to avoid coming up short again in 2024. As with any team in the league, roster changes are inevitable. At one point, Baltimore’s roster looked complete from top to bottom; Now that a new league year has begun, many of those pieces are moving on, leaving Baltimore to fill some empty slots. Fortunately, the team has capitalized on the availability of a big free agent, newly minted Raven, Derrick Henry.
This past season, Baltimore posted the best record in the NFL. Not only did Baltimore win the most games, they finished the season with the most rushing yards in the league- a statistic indicative of a team that runs the ball often and effectively. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has been the Ravens leading rusher for each of the last five seasons, and that is destined to change with the Ravens’ newest addition.
King Henry Chooses Baltimore
Superstar Running back Derrick Henry will be suiting up in a new uniform this season. After spending eight years with the Tennesse Titans, a change of scenery will occur. Henry and the Baltimore Ravens have agreed on a two-year, $16 million deal that will see Henry providing much-needed run support for Lamar Jackson. Jackson has been in the backfield with several talented running backs, but none to the degree of Henry. Outside of Jackson’s rookie season, he has finished every year as the Ravens’ leading rusher, including 2023, where he also showed flashes of an elite passer.
As a Titan, Derrick Henry was a walking highlight reel. Often considered the strongest running back in the league, Henry boasts a violent stiff arm, elite tackle-breaking abilities, and stallion-esque speed as he often gallops toward the endzone. In eight seasons in Tennessee, Henry made four Pro-bowls, earned three All-pro honors, and received one Offensive Player of the Year award. Henry has amassed over 1,000 rushing yards in five different seasons, making him the definition of a workhorse. Although Henry has been a steady force over the years, his 2020 season stands out among all. In 2020, Henry posted 2,027 rushing yards, the fifth-most rushing yards in a season in NFL history. Along with the superabundant amount of yardage, Henry also scored 17 touchdowns to cap off the most impressive season of his career.
Henry’s Future As a Raven
The Ravens need serious help in the backfield and have tabbed a high-profile free agent to help. After losing Gus Edwards to the Los Angeles Chargers, and Keaton Mitchell and J.K. Dobbins to serious injuries, Baltimore has found an antidote. Derrick Henry will be of big assistance to Baltimore’s offense this season. One of Henry’s calling cards is his health. It is extremely uncommon for running backs to stay healthy for an entire season, especially when they are the focal point of a team; That has rarely been a problem for Henry.
Even in Henry’s unhealthiest season in 2021, he was on the verge of rushing for 1,000 yards, finishing his season with 937 in only eight games. In Baltimore, Henry will be expected to take some of the burden off of Lamar Jackson’s legs. With Jackson making gradual strides as a pocket passer, Henry should benefit from the passing game’s effectiveness with his already elite running ability.
Main Photo: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY NETWORK
