King RB Derrick Henry Headed To Queen City Baltimore To Chase NFL Crown

Derrick Henry is running to the Baltimore Ravens.

And while that's significant in itself, because Henry is the NFL's leading rusher over the last five seasons (with 7,209 yards) it's the combination here that fascinates.

The Ravens, you see, are the NFL's most prolific rushing team. It's been that way for a long time.

Last season, the Ravens led the NFL in rushing, averaging 156.5 yards per game. The previous season, the Ravens were second in the NFL in rushing. But they actually were more productive than in 2022 because they averaged 160 rushing yards per game and their 5.2 yards per rush were better than the 4.9 yards per rush in '23.

NASHVILLE TENNESSEE - JANUARY 07: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans warms up before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Nashville, Tennessee at Nissan Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Houston, Texas. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 28-20.  (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

King Derrick Henry To Join Ravens

A fluke, you suggest?

The Ravens were the NFL's No. 3 rushing team in 2021. And they were the NFL's No. 1 rushing team in 2020.

In that 2020 season, the Ravens averaged 5.5 yards per carry as a team. And they gained an average of 191.9 yards rushing per game.

So the Ravens know about running the football.

And now, well, they have a running back that knows about running the football.

There's a reason Henry has been nicknamed King. He's been the king of running backs.

That's the dangerous thing.

The Ravens have in recent years done a lot of damage with some good but not great running backs. Gus Edwards comes to mind. J.K. Dobbins. Justice Hill. Even Mark Ingram for a minute or two.

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson scores a TD against the Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)

Jackson Has Led Baltimore's Run Game

The truth is, the Ravens attacked opposing defenses in the run game primarily with quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Jackson has led the team in rushing each of the past five seasons. He gained over 1,000 rushing yards in both 2019 and 2020. And last season, Jackson had his third-most productive season running the football, gaining 821 yards and scoring 5 rushing TDs.

But the Ravens understand this is not sustainable. 

The quarterback needs to lead the team in passing.

The running back should lead the team in rushing.

The quarterback, in this case Jackson, is going to be 27-years-old, and he needs to play from the pocket and stay in the lineup and not get hit as often as he has in the past.

And that's where Henry comes into play. He has agreed to a two-year deal worth $16 million to be that guy.

Henry is a rumbling, rolling sledgehammer. He does not go down on first contact. He's so good, his reputation caused issues.

NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 07: Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) takes the field before the NFL game between the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars on January 7, 2024, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Derrick Henry Will Be A Problem

Consider that with the Tennessee Titans, offensive coordinators would run a read option and the ends, who are supposed to commit to either the quarterback or running back, almost always committed to Henry. 

Edge players believed they needed to help the poor linebackers and defensive backs who were about to get trucked if Henry had the ball.

Well, what happens if that happens in Baltimore?

It leaves Jackson with the football and fewer defenders chasing him because they took steps toward Henry. And if defenders play assignment football and the edge commits to Jackson because, again, he's been the team's leading rusher in the past, then Henry is no longer facing a 260-280 pound edge guy.

That would mean one of the NFL's hardest-to-tackle runners is being chased by 200-pound defensive backs or 230-pound linebackers.

Did I mention Henry is 247 pounds of virtual granite? He gained 926 of his 1,167 yards in 2023 after contact. That was the second-most production after contact in the NFL.

This is going to be fun to watch.

Well, not for Baltimore's opponents. It won't be fun to be them once the Ravens get rolling.