According to multiple reports, the Baltimore Ravens are expected to sign running back Derrick Henry to a two-year, $16 million deal. Below are the reactions from the Baltimore Beatdown staff regarding the news.
Dread it, run from it… Destiny arrives all the same. And now, it’s here. Or should I say… King Henry is.
This has always been the match. Henry’s always felt a Raven. And now, he’s going to be in the black and purple getting carries from Lamar Jackson.
The Ravens were patient amid the wild Day 1 of the NFL’s legal tampering period. While just about every running back had agreed to terms with a new club, the Ravens remained poised with their target. In the end, they get Henry at an $8-10 million AAV, depending upon his incentives. And if Henry’s hitting those incentives, it’s because he’s delivering, which is a boon for Baltimore.
The money is a bit high for a 30-year-old back but Henry’s proved the exception to the rule. So, I’m not expecting a drop off, or a large one, anyways. This is a great signing for Baltimore and I’m looking forward to watching Henry steamroll the AFC North in due time. — Kyle Phoenix
money is a bit high for a 30-year-old back but Henry’s proved the exception to the rule. So, I’m not expecting a drop off, or a large one, anyways. This is a great signing for Baltimore and I’m looking forward to watching Henry steamroll the AFC North in due time. — Kyle Phoenix
It is difficult to see the value in paying up for a 30 year old back with over 2,000 career carries. Baltimore’s rushing attack has been elite since Lamar Jackson was inserted as a starter in Week 11 of the 2018 season, regardless of running back personnel.
For context, Derrick Henry has averaged 4.7 yards per carry over his career compared to 4.3 yards per carry for well past-their-primes Devonta Freeman and Latavius Murray combined for the Ravens in 2021, behind an injured and porous offensive line. At 15 carries per game, the difference between a top tier running back and replacement level back is approximately 10 rushing yards per game in a Lamar Jackson backfield. Furthermore, it is unlikely a factor back will change how defenses gameplan against the Ravens since they already deploy tactics to counter their dominant rushing attack. And the common thread in each of the Lamar’s postseason losses has been the Ravens inability to spread the field and take advantage of stacked box counts with an effective deep perimeter passing attack.
Passing offense and the ability to execute come-from-behind victories through the air has been a requirement for many NFL champions, John Harbaugh’s only Super Bowl team included. Morevoer, going cheap at running back has been a crucial piece of the roster building puzzle for every champion since 2015.
