Derrick Henry Addition Gives Ravens the Most Improved Rushing Attack This Offseason
A bunch of big-name operating backs discovered new houses throughout the first week of free company, however no crew improved its operating sport greater than the Ravens with their acquisition of Derrick Henry, in keeping with Pro Football Focus’s John Kosko.
Kosko named the most improved place teams in free company to this point, and he gave the nod to the Ravens at operating again. That’s saying one thing, since the Ravens had the No. 1 dashing assault in the league final season.
“King Henry has entered the AFC North: a division recognized for smash-mouth, run-it-down-your-throat offenses,” Kosko wrote. “If the Ravens weren’t already terrifying sufficient with Lamar Jackson threatening to run it at any second, now defenses should cope with one in all the greatest bulldozers of the previous decade in Derrick Henry, And when he wants a blow, the electrifying Keaton Mitchell is there to again him up.
“Henry was profitable operating behind one in all the worst offensive traces in the NFL in 2023, as he was solely afforded 1.0 yards earlier than contact per rush try. The Ravens loved 1.6 yards earlier than first contact. The NFL is usually a sport of inches and now Henry will get fairly just a few extra of these to choose up a head of steam.”
PFF’s Dalton Wasserman stated the Ravens have “created a backfield that’s an opposing protection’s worst nightmare.”
“Lamar Jackson is arguably the most dynamic runner we have ever seen at quarterback. Derrick Henry is probably going a future Hall of Famer after carrying the Tennessee Titans on his again for eight seasons. Now, they be a part of forces as Henry seems to be to show he nonetheless has lots in the tank coming into his 30s,” Wasserman wrote. “If 2023 is any indication, Henry shall be simply nice. He completed the 12 months with an 86.8 dashing grade, rating sixth, and led the league in yards after contact throughout the common season regardless of the struggles of Tennessee’s offensive line. Henry figures to slot in seamlessly and should not need to bear the complete load as soon as Keaton Mitchell returns from his knee damage.”
Meanwhile, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin ranked the Ravens’ signing of Henry at No. 5 on his record of the prime 10 offseason strikes so far.
“Turns out paying respectable cash to a 30-year-old workhorse operating again might be good in the 12 months 2024,” Benjamin wrote. “Henry could also be older, however his supersized body has enabled him to outlast friends as a pile-pushing, chain-moving featured again, and his job ought to solely get simpler in Baltimore subsequent to the electrical Lamar Jackson. The match feels completely seamless.”
