NFL Trade Rumors: 3 Derrick Henry landing spots that make a lot of sense
Running back Derrick Henry's time may be over with the Tennessee Titans. On Monday morning, NFL reporter Mike Silver reported that the Titans are shopping Henry and will look to move on from him heading into the 2023 season.
BREAKING: The Tennessee #Titans are shopping superstar running back Derrick Henry, per @MikeSilver. https://t.co/zistTrQyqY
This comes as a shock because Henry is one of the NFL's best running backs.
The Titans have been clearing cap space this offseason and are looking to rebuild. Trading Henry would clear some space as he has a $16.3 million cap hit this season. Releasing Henry right now would save the team $6.2 million in cap space while taking on a $10.1 million dead cap hit.
In 2020, Henry signed a four-year $50 million deal and is set to become a free agent after this season.
The team started off by releasing offensive lineman Taylor Lewan. They then released wide receiver Robert Woods, linebacker Zach Cunningham and kicker Randy Bullock. The four moves freed up $37.9 million in cap space.
Three teams that could trade for Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry will enter the 2023 season at age 29, which is old for an NFL running back.
Henry will have many teams interested in acquiring him, as he is still one of the league's most productive backs. He's a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro and is one of only eight running backs in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season.
Here are three teams that could trade for Derrick Henry:
#1, Buffalo Bills
The Bills expressed interest in trading for running back Christian McCaffrey last year.
Rumors: #Bills reached out to the #Panthers about RB Christian McCaffrey but were told he isn’t available, per @caplannfl
Now that the Titans are putting Henry on the trade block, one can imagine they may be interested in calling Tennessee. Adding Henry to the Bills' backfield would create more opportunities fin the pass game for Josh Allen as teams would have to worry about stacking the box more trying to defend Henry.
#2, Baltimore Ravens
If the Baltimore Ravens can retain Lamar Jackson and add Derrick Henry this offseason, their run offense will be insane next season.
Jackson has led the team in rushing yards the last four seasons, and the team needs a franchise running back.
Adding Henry would give the Ravens a true rush attack0-riven offense that they play by, and they'd likely lead the league in rushing.
#3, New York Giants
The Giants are a darkhorse candidate as the status of Saquon Barkley is unknown.
While the team is expected to franchise tag quarterback Daniel Jones, Barkley may hit the open market and sign elsewhere.
The Giants have hinted at possibly exploring other options as they brought in the best running back in the draft class, Bijan Robinson, in for a visit.
The team could let Barkley walk in free agency and add Henry.