Remember the buzz around the 2016 NFL Draft? While quarterbacks often grab the headlines, a certain powerhouse running back from Alabama was waiting for his call. Derrick Henry, fresh off a Heisman Trophy-winning season, was a highly anticipated prospect. The Tennessee Titans made a pivotal move on April 29, 2016, selecting Henry in the second round with the 45th overall pick. This pick, made by a team looking to solidify its ground game and build a physical identity, set the stage for one of the most dominant running backs of the modern era, though his ascent wasn't immediate.
Henry didn't immediately step into a feature back role. His rookie season in 2016 saw him play a significant backup to veteran DeMarco Murray, who was having a Pro Bowl-caliber year. Yet, Henry showed glimpses of his immense talent, demonstrating his bruising running style and surprising speed for a player of his size. He finished that year with 490 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns, proving he was a valuable asset. The 2017 season continued a similar trend, with Murray still leading the backfield, but Henry's workload increased, and his powerful runs became more frequent, signaling a changing of the guard was on the horizon.
The Emergence of "King Henry"
The 2018 season was a crucial turning point for Derrick Henry. While he started the season still sharing touches, by the latter half, he had firmly established himself as the Titans' primary weapon. A monumental performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14, where he rushed for an incredible 238 yards and four touchdowns, including an iconic 99-yard touchdown run, etched his name into the record books and announced his arrival to the entire league. From that moment on, Henry wasn't just a powerful runner; he was becoming "King Henry," a true force of nature, laying the groundwork for the record-breaking seasons that would follow and forever changing the landscape of the Titans' offense.