NFL Power Rankings 2020: Ranking every starting running back

5. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

An old-fashioned bruising back, Henry looks like a man amongst boys on the football field. At 6-3 and 247 pounds, it’s almost impossible for defensive backs and even some linebackers to bring down Henry alone. While he’s not a versatile threat like Alvin Kamara, Henry is a reliable bulldozer capable of plowing through defensive lines.

The Titans added Henry with the 45th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Alabama product won the Heisman Trophy in 2015, amassing 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns on 395 carries. Worries about Henry’s durability after such a massive workload in college, along with concerns about his vision and power, dropped him to the second round of the draft.

Henry played Robin to DeMarco Murray’s Batman during his first two seasons in the NFL. Then, Henry took over as the full-time starter in 2018. After producing only 474 yards and five touchdowns through the team’s first 12 games (39.5 yards per game), Henry caught fire. The former Heisman winner piled up 585 yards and seven touchdowns in the final four weeks (about 146.3 yards per game).

The offseason didn’t slow Henry down. He entered the 2019 season with all of his momentum from the previous year. The behemoth led the NFL with 1,540 rushing yards (102.7 yards per game) and 16 touchdowns. Henry served as the engine for Tennessee’s offense, which carried the Titans to a surprising AFC Championship appearance.

Based on last season, Henry is one of the best running backs in the NFL. However, how long can he keep grinding down defenses at a high level? At some point, all of the hits and carries will catch up to the Alabama product.