Derrick Henry is in place atop the Ravens’ depth chart entering 2024, after he became one of several running backs who quickly found new homes in free agency. When reflecting on his Baltimore deal, he confirmed that was his preferred destination.
“For the record, Baltimore was always my No. 1 option,” Henry said during an appearance on the "Jim Rome Show." “That’s always where I wanted to go. And like I said, I know the trade talks [during the season], it was almost going to happen, but I didn’t know once free agency started if they still felt the same way until I talked to my agent to see what was really going on.”
Indeed, the Ravens remained a top suitor for the former Offensive Player of the Year. Team and player worked out a two-year agreement worth up to $20M in short order, giving Baltimore a new lead back. Henry had contemplated a deal sending him to the Cowboys, owing to the fact he lives in Dallas during the offseason and the departure of Tony Pollard. The Cowboys never made contact about a deal, however, leaving the 30-year-old free to join a Ravens team known for relying on a run-first offense.
“I just felt like it fit, their culture, what they’re all about,” Henry added. “I feel like it fits my style of play, and I just felt like it was going to be destined at some point… You know you feel like you’ve got a feeling about something, it just feels like it’s meant to be? That’s what I felt about Baltimore.”
Henry, a two-time rushing champion, will handle lead back duties in 2024 on a Ravens team that lost Gus Edwards and has seen J.K. Dobbins go unsigned well into free agency. The team does have Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell on the books, though the latter is rehabbing an ACL tear. As a result, the Ravens could very well be in the market for a backfield addition later this month.
General manager Eric DeCosta confirmed during a Tuesday news conference there is a “strong chance” Baltimore drafts a running back this year, via the team’s website. Other positions — such as offensive line, cornerback and edge rusher — represent more urgent roster priorities as things stand. With nine selections, though, the Ravens will have the chance to use Day 2 or 3 to add a rookie behind Henry in the team’s new-look backfield.
More must-reads: