Derrick Henry Would Make Ravens a Super Bowl Favorite Amid NFL Free Agency Rumors

Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens have a mutual interest in getting a deal done in free agency, according to Josina Anderson of CBS.

The emergence of Tyjae Spears, and the news of free agent back Tony Pollard agreeing to a deal with the Tennessee Titans Monday, essentially slammed the door on any chance that the 30-year-old Henry would return to the team.

Henry rushed for over 1,000 yards in five of his eight seasons with the Titans, including a magical 2,000-yard campaign in 2020. He has not scored fewer than 10 touchdowns in a season since 2018 and even as his age catches up to him, and still has game-changing potential.

A strong, powerful runner who can make defenders miss and bowl over those silly enough to stand in his way, it is no surprise that a contending team like the Ravens would be interested in bringing him on board.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson led the team in rushing in 2023 en route to a second league MVP award, while Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, and rookie Keaton Mitchell formed a three-headed committee that accounted for 1,593 yards on the ground.

Given the success of the team and its berth in the AFC Championship game, it may be difficult to argue that the team should look at an aging veteran like Henry. He accounted for 1,167 yards on the ground in Tennesse, though, and has a penchant for finding the end zone, with 12 touchdowns.

He brings explosiveness, too, something only Mitchell showed for the Ravens consistently a season ago.

It is his success in big games, and his ability to create big plays in the run game, that makes him an asset to Jackson and the Ravens.

Having another playmaker on the offense that opposing defenders have to account for takes the pressure off the MVP to feel like he has to do everything for Baltimore. As we saw in the AFC Championship Game against the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, that pressure is very real and can prove overwhelming.

Should the defending AFC North champions break the bank to acquire Henry? No, especially on any long-term deal. His years as a potent back are numbered, so getting him to agree to something short-term will be key to making a deal work for the team.

If that is a possibility, though, the Ravens should absolutely take a shot on a guy who has consistently been the best, or among the best, running backs in the league for the majority of his NFL career.

The potential upside greatly outweighs the downside and could finally deliver Jackson and the Ravens organization the Super Bowl appearance that has eluded them.