**PTI’s Michael Wilbon:** “It provides the Ravens one other solution to go after Kansas City. It fortifies them. You get a man like Derrick Henry, it provides confidence to your entire room, notably the individuals in that offensive huddle. Particularly if wholesome in November, December, January. You say it is minus-9 in Kansas City? Fine, let’s go! We bought a quarterback with superior athletic abilities … and we bought a working again who could not go for 2,0000 yards anymore however can get us 150 within the chilly, perhaps two touchdowns, and kill you on third-and-short, fourth-and-short, and within the pink zone.”
**PFF’s Gordon McGuinness:** “Henry is a wonderful match for Baltimore, as he can be afforded rather more room when he touches the ball. Last season, the Titans averaged simply 1.0 yards earlier than contact per rush try, tied for the sixth-worst mark within the league. The Ravens, alternatively, averaged 1.6 yards earlier than contact per try, tied for the league’s fourth-highest mark. That may not appear to be loads, however an additional half-yard of momentum for a 6-foot-3, 247-pound working again will make an enormous distinction. There’s additionally the added stress this places on opposing linebackers and safeties within the field. Lamar Jackson has already made life extremely troublesome for these gamers, as they need to diagnose after which react as to if he’s conserving the ball as a runner, handing it to a again or throwing the ball. The addition of Henry simply provides one other degree to that.”
The Athletic’s Randy Mueller: “If ever there was a match destined to return to fruition, it was King Henry and the Ravens. Henry brings with him a tradition, an identification and a mode that ought to cease the revolving door within the Baltimore backfield. He runs offended, which inserts the Ravens’ persona. He’ll additionally pair very properly with Keaton Mitchell. Henry will assist the Ravens shut out video games, and so they performed with a lead greater than another workforce within the league in 2023. He had 63 first-down rushes and nil fumbles in 2023, cementing the sensation that there is nonetheless tread left on his tire, even at age 30. His fifth gear may not be what it was, however gears 1-4 are nonetheless actually good. Taking a slight pay minimize over his earlier wage in Tennessee, he signed for a second-tier deal, in order that half is sensible as nicely.”
The Athletics Dan Pompei: “Henry matches the workforce’s offense in addition to any again may, and he matches the workforce’s tradition as nicely. It’s not a stretch to see him and Lamar among the many high 10 rushers within the league and the Ravens setting a workforce speeding file. When opponents gang up on Henry, lanes will open for Lamar. When opponents line as much as cease Lamar, holes will open for Henry. The solely query is sturdiness, as Henry is 30 and has excessive mileage. But if he stays wholesome, look out.”
**ESPN’s Jamison Hensley:** “For the primary time in Jackson’s six-year profession, defenses are going to need to concern somebody within the Baltimore backfield aside from the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player. Henry is a powerful and explosive runner who has produced essentially the most speeding yards (8,268) and yards from scrimmage (9,453) within the NFL since 2018. Entering his seventh NFL season, Jackson is on the stage of his profession the place he wanted the Ravens so as to add greater than only a starting-caliber working again. He wanted a confirmed playmaker to take the stress off of him being the No. 1 speeding risk.”
**SB Nation’s Mark Schofield:** “In Baltimore the presence of Jackson, in addition to the opposite working backs on the roster, provides the Ravens the chance to maintain Henry on one thing of a pitch rely, utilizing him as wanted and conserving him as recent as potential for a late-season push. A comparatively rested Henry within the playoffs for the Ravens? Sounds like a nightmare to the remainder of the convention.”
NFL Network’s Steve Wyche: “Yes, he is a bell-cow, however they will most likely save him extra for the top of the season. That solely makes this Ravens offense extra harmful. … This might be a daunting offense.”
