Former Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry has started the 2024 season in dominant fashion with the Baltimore Ravens. Through five weeks, Henry is leading the NFL in rushing yards (572), rushing touchdowns (6), and yards per game (114.4).
He has surpassed 10,000 career rushing yards and 100 career all-purpose touchdowns while looking even better than he did in his final years with the Titans. As a matter of fact, Henry's 6.0 yards per carry in 2024 is the highest of his entire NFL career.
That's unbelievable for a 30-year-old running back with a place already reserved in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Towards the end of Henry's Titans tenure, it often seemed like he did not have the same burst or playmaking ability that he did in his 2,000-yard 2020 campaign. It wouldn't be surprising given how rapidly we have seen running backs decline in the past.
But with 114.4 yards per game and multiple 50+ yard runs, perhaps Henry's dip in production was more on his supporting cast in Tennessee. Let's face it.
..Henry runs like a freight train.
And the more speed and momentum he builds, the more unstoppable he becomes. Getting Henry going before first contact has always been the key to success. The Titans failed to do that over the last few years due to lackluster offensive line play.
In 2023, Henry averaged 2.1 yards before contact per rush attempt. That was the third worst among the 23 NFL running backs with at least 200 carries.
In Baltimore in 2024, that number is up to 3.4 y.