Derrick Henry has been an absolute fantasy football machine during most of his NFL career, rushing for 1,100-plus yards in each of his last four full seasons. That span includes a 2020 campaign in which he rushed for 2,027 yards. He’s also rushed for 12 touchdowns or more in each of those four years, and he had 10 in just eight games in 2021. Last season, he finished eighth in points among backs.
Henry, who is now 30 years old, has seen a decline in rushing yards and scores over his last three full seasons, however. He also averaged a career-low 4.2 yards per rush in 2023. Still, the bruising back remains an impact maker despite the fact that his best fantasy seasons are likely behind him. Henry is also a good bet to be on the move, as the Tennessee Titans didn’t franchise him this offseason. And even at 30, which is “old” for a runner, Henry will have his share of suitors.
Here are five of the teams where the talented runner would be best served, in terms of both real and fantasy football, as he enters his ninth NFL campaign.
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Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens need to upgrade at running back with J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards heading to free agency, and Henry fits the bill. Imagine him in Todd Monken’s offense and sharing a backfield with Lamar Jackson? That would be one heck of a fantasy duo. While this isn’t the old ground-and-pound Ravens of the Jamal Lewis days, this offense would still feed Henry 250-plus carries. That would make him a nice No. 2 fantasy runner or even a No. 1 for those fans in the Zero-RB crowd.
Chicago Bears
There’s just something about a big, bruising back playing in the cold weather, right? The Bears are about to make a huge splash, with improvements expected all over the offense (including at quarterback, where Justin Fields could be traded and replaced by USC’s Caleb Williams). With the fourth-most cash under the cap per Spotrac and no real No. 1 option in their backfield, Henry would be a great fit.
Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has said he’ll be “all in” this offseason, and the fact that the team didn’t franchise Tony Pollard makes the running back position a potential need. The Cowboys have a long history of fantasy success in their backfields over the years, and Henry would just add to it while also helping make life easier for Dak Prescott. He’d be a top-40 fantasy pick in fantasy drafts.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers will likely move on from Austin Ekeler, which leaves a big hole in their backfield. While they’re not in the best position from a cap perspective, teams have a way of finagling things to their advantage. New coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman have always leaned on the run, including on fellow ground-and-pounder Frank Gore from their time together in San Francisco, so Henry would fit in quite nicely in those powder blues.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles could move on from D’Andre Swift, who is heading into free agency as well, so Henry is a possible fit. While I’m not sure general manager Howie Roseman would pay up for a back (remember, he wisely let Miles Sanders walk last season), this is about fantasy and Henry would more than fill the void of a Swift departure. He would hurt Jalen Hurts in terms of his rushing touchdowns, but I think we can all agree that he’ll likely regress in that category regardless.
