The first day of NFL free agency began with a surprise as four of the top running backs on the open market came off the board. However, Derrick Henry is still a free agent as of Tuesday morning but that could change relatively soon.
Henry, the NFL’s active leader in career rushing yards, will not be returning to the Tennessee Titans. While a split with the team that drafted him was always expected, Tennessee officially closed the door on it Monday by signing former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard.
- Derrick Henry stats 2023: 1,167 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns, 4.2 yards per carry, 28 receptions, 214 receiving yards, 7.6 yards per reception
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Pollard wasn’t the only running back to come off the board on the first day of NFL free agency. D’Andre Swift landed with the Chicago Bears, Austin Ekeler signed with the Washington Commanders, Saquon Barkley joined the Philadelphia Eagles and Aaron Jones was released after the Green Bay Packers signed All-Pro Josh Jacobs.
Henry is now the best running back available and there are still several teams in need of a featured ball carrier. The Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens are all in the market for a potential starter. Evidently, there’s a mutual attraction between Henry and at least one of those clubs.
- Derrick Henry career stats: 2,030 carries, 9,502 rushing yards, 4.7 yards per carry, 97 career touchdowns
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According to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, there is mutual interest between Henry and the Ravens. While an agreement on a contract hasn’t been reached the two sides were involved in negotiations on Monday. As for Dallas, NFL Network’s Jane Slater shared during a broadcast that the Cowboys are “shopping within means” and that could take Dallas out of the mix for him.
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While the Texans haven’t been officially tied to Henry, they have already been heavily involved in the free-agent market at running back. Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reported Monday that Houston was one of the three finalists for Barkley.
With Gus Edwards leaving Baltimore for the Los Angeles Chargers and J.K. Dobbins unlikely to return, there’s a clear need at running back in the Ravens’ offense. Considering the mutual interest between the two sides and the ability for the four-time Pro Bowl selection to compete for a Super Bowl, the Ravens are considered the favorites to sign Henry.
