When the Green Bay Packers selected AJ Dillon in the second round of the 2020 draft, there were hopes that he could emulate the powerhouse running style of Derrick Henry.
However, those expectations fell short, and as Dillon approaches free agency after an underwhelming fourth season with the Packers, the team may be on the lookout for a new bruising presence to complement Aaron Jones’ agility in the backfield.
Could Derrick Henry be the answer?
With Henry also set to hit free agency and the Tennessee Titans undergoing a coaching transition under Brian Callahan, there’s speculation that Henry could be seeking a new home this offseason.
DraftKings Sportsbook’s next-team odds suggest the Packers have a reasonable chance of acquiring Henry in free agency.
Henry, at 30 years old, is coming off another impressive season, tallying 1,167 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Despite some decline in production, Henry has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in five of the last six seasons, demonstrating his consistent dominance in the league.
While his averages have slightly dipped in recent years, Henry’s impact remains significant. In 2023, he ranked eighth in yards after contact and 11th in broken tackles among running backs with at least 100 rushing attempts, according to Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions, respectively.
In NFL history, Henry ranks 36th in rushing yards and 13th in rushing touchdowns, highlighting his place among the elite runners of the game.
Notably, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, formerly the offensive coordinator for the Titans, witnessed Henry’s breakout seasons in 2019 and 2020 firsthand. This familiarity could make Green Bay an attractive destination for Henry.
However, the Packers face salary-cap constraints, with projections suggesting a potential one-year contract for Henry worth around $10.3 million, as per Spotrac.
Despite being one of the youngest teams in the NFL last season, the addition of a veteran presence like Henry alongside Aaron Jones would offer a stark contrast and potentially elevate the Packers’ ground game to new heights.
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