Derrick Henry has been so good he's making RBs worth paying again

Derrick Henry is turning back the clock. At 30 years old, the bruising running back has not only rejuvenated his career with the Baltimore Ravens, but he’s also forcing a serious rethink about how veteran RBs are valued in today’s NFL.

The King’s resurgence in Baltimore

After years of declining contracts and market value for running backs, Henry’s 2024 campaign has been nothing short of groundbreaking. He’s amassed 873 rushing yards through just seven games, averaging a ridiculous 6.5 yards per carry.

To put this in perspective, that’s a career-best pace for a player who’s already had a 2,000-yard season. He’s also on track for 20 rushing touchdowns, another mark that would be a career-high.

But this isn’t just about stats, it’s about shifting perceptions.

The Ravens signed Henry to a two-year, $20 million deal this offseason, a contract that was met with skepticism given the league’s general hesitance to pay aging running backs. Yet, Henry’s presence has clearly transformed Baltimore’s offense, complementing Lamar Jackson’s dynamic playmaking ability.

Henry’s blend of power and surprising agility has been pivotal, particularly in grinding out critical yardage in key moments. He’s also provided stability and veteran leadership, helping balance a Ravens attack that has traditionally been Lamar-heavy.

The effect goes beyond Baltimore. With Saquon Barkley similarly thriving for the Philadelphia Eagles, there’s a growing belief maybe the league’s cost-cutting approach to veteran RBs has been shortsighted. Both players have defied the “wear-and-tear” narrative that usually plagues older RBs.

Henry’s impact on the running back market

Henry’s success is re-igniting conversations about the value of elite running backs. The production gap between mid-tier RBs and true game-changers like Henry is becoming harder to ignore.

And as other top backs enter contract negotiations over the next couple of years, they might point to Henry’s impact as evidence that investing in the position can still pay off.

Henry’s contract, while not record-breaking, sets a strong precedent, especially compared to the deals top RBs were receiving just a few seasons ago. If he continues on this path, it could signal a shift in the market, encouraging teams to pay up for proven performers instead of opting for cheaper, less reliable alternatives.

Henry is proving when it comes to truly elite talent, age may not be the ultimate deterrent. His season in Baltimore could be a turning point, not just for his career, but for running backs across the league. Whether or not his performance truly resets the market remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Derrick Henry isn’t done redefining his legacy.

In the process, he might just redefine the value of the running back position in today’s NFL.

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