It’s no secret that the Tennessee Titans have a special talent in running back Derrick Henry. The former Offensive Player of the Year has a lethal and unique blend of size, strength and speed that is unrivaled in the modern game.
Henry is the definition of a workhorse running back who can wear down a defense with ease over the course of a game.
What really makes Henry a unicorn is the fact that he has actually performed better throughout his second NFL contract than he did over the duration of his rookie deal, something that is truly unheard of in today’s game at his position.
2019: “Who is better, Derrick Henry or CMC?”
2020: “Who is better, Derrick Henry or Nick Chubb?”
2021: “Who is better, Derrick Henry or Jonathan Taylor?”
2022: “Who is better, Derrick Henry or CMC?”
Imma go with the guy who is always in the conversation 👑 https://t.co/DxZKq50gtS pic.twitter.com/yxfd3198RK
— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) April 20, 2023
Henry is every bit of a superstar ball carrier despite the league’s continuous effort to downplay the importance of the position, and despite analysts continuing to predict his decline.
In an article listing the true superstars at each position, something he does each year, Dan Hanzus of NFL.com unsurprisingly had Henry listed once again this year. Here is what Hanzus had to say about the selection:
Henry didn’t get as much pub in 2022, but his “pop the hood” stats remained elite, and he led the league in carries for the third time in four years. In other words, he was as good as ever for a Titans team that was mayonnaise-on-white-bread in all other departments.
It’s clear that Hanzus wasn’t a fan of the pieces that surrounded Henry in 2022 (can’t blame him), but even the biggest Titans skeptics can’t deny Henry’s consistent greatness as an individual.
If the Titans are going to find themselves playing relevant football in 2023, it’s a safe bet that Henry will once again be one of the biggest reasons why.
