On March 12, the Baltimore Ravens put pen to paper with star running back Derrick Henry, adding an explosive talent to pair with Lamar Jackson in the running game. King Henry may no longer be in his prime but is in a great situation as the clear lead back in a run-heavy offense. What is the fantasy outlook for Derrick Henry in 2024?
Derrick Henry Is Still a Goalline Monster
While Jackson’s 821 rushing yards led the Ravens in 2023, Baltimore employs its running backs in scoring situations much more frequently than other teams with mobile quarterbacks, such as the Eagles with Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen on the Bills, or Cam Newton in the past on the Panthers. Gus Edwards, a solid NFL back but nowhere near Henry’s level, tied for third in rushing touchdowns last season with 13.
Henry has scored at least 10 rushing touchdowns in six consecutive seasons, including 12 last year. In the worst-case scenario, His efficiency continues to decline, leading to a low yardage total. Even in this scenario, he should easily finish in the top five in the NFL in touchdowns, boosting his fantasy outlook.
There is Little Competition in the Baltimore Running Back Room
Again, even in the event Henry’s efficiency does not rebound, he should continue to be a bellcow back. He has shown he can handle a grueling workload, leading the NFL in rushing attempts in four of the last five seasons. With the departures of Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, Henry again looks set for 250+ carries.
Baltimore still has Keaton Mitchell, someone who I am extremely high on. Mitchell constantly broke off big runs after returning from injury and had 396 yards in the six games where he received carries. However, he is coming off of a torn ACL, making a push for work at Henry’s expense an uphill battle.
The Ravens Have a Much Better Supporting Cast Than the Titans
Per ESPN, the Titans’ run block win rate of 70% was the 21st best in the NFL. On the other hand, Baltimore posted the fifth-highest win rate. Led by Tyler Linderbaum and Ronnie Stanley, the Ravens are one of the better run-blocking units in the NFL and should open up far more holes for Henry than Tennessee did.
Jackson’s star power at quarterback should also help Henry improve his efficiency from last season. Teams have to focus on his abilities both as a runner and a passer, taking some focus off of Henry. This is in stark contrast to last season, where everyone knew Henry was the only reliable source of offense for the Titans. An increase in efficiency paired with a continued large workload would be massive for the fantasy outlook of Henry.
Derrick Henry Fantasy Outlook for 2024
Baltimore was the perfect spot for Henry to land to boost his fantasy value. Not only will he be the clear lead back, but he will also find himself in a high-scoring run-heavy offense. Furthermore, his efficiency may increase due to the Ravens’ offensive line and Jackson’s dynamic talent.
In 2024, the fantasy outlook of Derrick Henry is that of a clear-cut RB1. While he may not have the elite upside of other backs joining new teams, such as Saquon Barkley, due to his limitations in the passing game, he should be a safe touchdown-scoring machine.
Henry is a player I would target in the second round of fantasy drafts. He is a very high-floor pick in this Baltimore offense, making him a great RB1 for your team if you went WR in the first round. With a boost in efficiency, Henry could have a 1300-yard, 15 touchdown season.
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