Is Derrick Henry Still A Fantasy Football RB1 With The Baltimore Ravens? 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

All king's reigns must eventually come to an end. In the case of Derrick Henry, he's wearing the crown in a different jurisdiction.

The Titans' second all-time leading rusher joins two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson in the Baltimore backfield, hoping to push the Ravens over the hump and into Super Bowl glory.

Just how much does Henry have left in the tank? He's hit the dreaded 3-0, an age that typically causes running back production to fall off a cliff. Henry is no Raheem Mostert, either. He has plenty of tread on his tires. Fantasy managers are praying Henry has at least one more dominant season before Father Time calls.

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Is Derrick Henry Still A Fantasy Football RB1?

Gus Edwards found the endzone 13 times for the Ravens in 2023, played just 42% of the team's snaps, and was responsible for 11.6 carries per game. Derrick Henry has 2,030 career rushing attempts, leading the league in carries in four of the last five seasons. Pairing Henry's usage with Baltimore's rushing and touchdown opportunities (the team led the league in run plays per game in 2023) is seemingly a match made in heaven. Derrick Henry's over/under line for rushing touchdowns in 2024 is 10.5. He's only gone under that line once (10 in 2021) since 2018.

It sounds as though the Ravens aren't putting a cap on his workload, despite his age. Second-year running back Keaton Mitchell is recovering from a torn ACL. Justice Hill and rookie Rasheen Ali are the other competitors for backfield touches. Last season, Henry averaged his fewest rushing yards per game since his sophomore year but also often faced a stacked box as the quarterback combination of Ryan Tannehill and Will Levis didn't worry defenses. Defenders need the strength and durability to tackle Henry, then turn around and possess the agility and football IQ to read the option and take down a scrambling Jackson. The quarterback will still be the gameplan priority for opposing defensive coordinators.

In PPR formats, reception totals will be a concern. Henry secured 33 passes in 2022 and followed it up with 28 last season. He never eclipsed the 20-catch mark in any season prior. The Ravens don't target their running backs often, either. In 15 games in 2020, J.K. Dobbins caught a career-high 18 passes. Edwards' career-high (12) came last season. It is, however, something that Henry has strived to improve upon during his dominant NFL career.

What the people have been waiting to see 🔥@Lj_era8 ➡️ @KingHenry_2 pic.twitter.com/JLGOOGrYds

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 22, 2024

Henry should contend to be a top-five fantasy football running back (especially in non-PPR formats) if he remains healthy. It's a risk playing the age game, as production decline will come suddenly and swiftly. He's currently being selected near the tail end of the third round, a perfect spot for a swing for the fences.

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