Many questioned Derrick Henry’s fit when he signed with the Baltimore Ravens last offseason. Henry, an established star in the league, faced some questions joining an offense captained by Lamar Jackson, a dynamic runner himself.
Any of those concerns seem quite foolish now after the Ravens motored another strong regular season campaign, adding a new element to their offense. The duo of Jackson and Henry proved unstoppable for most opponents.
In fact, Henry posted some of the best numbers of his career. He nearly cleared the 2,000-yard mark that he crossed in the 2020 season, finishing with 1,921 yards.
Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty
© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
If not for a ridiculous campaign by Saquon Barkley, Henry’s incredible season probably would have garnered more attention and praise.
Nonetheless, it is clear he and the Ravens are in the contending mix as they retool this offseason. Baltimore will have one of the most potent offenses heading into 2025.
Henry’s remarkable career thus far has not only earned the respect of his peers, but also the admiration of the next generation waiting to break into the league.
Ashton Jeanty, widely regarded as the No. 1 running back prospect in this year’s NFL Draft, has himself starstruck watching Henry play and looks forward to meeting him in person.
“I’d probably say like, whenever I see Derrick Henry,” Jeanty told Pro Football Talk. “I just want to see how big he is in real life.”
Jeanty also pointed to how the veteran has helped reshape the conversation around his position, setting the table for him and other players that will enter the league in the coming years.
“It’s exciting where the running back position is right now,” Jeanty said. “A few years ago it was getting devalued, but you look at all the guys in the league who are doing special things and showing that there’s value to having a great running back.”
Jeanty will look to have a similar impact once he finds out his next destination on come draft day. Following his own standout season at Boise State, there are some lofty expectations already for Jeanty.
Hopefully for the young running back, he is able to follow in the footsteps of Henry and his colleagues who have changed the dialogue around this position.
