Ravens signing Derrick Henry becomes much likelier as Titans add Tony Pollard

Update: The Baltimore Ravens are signing Derrick Henry to an exceptionally-priced two-year, $16 million contract worth up to $20 million with incentives.

The Baltimore Ravens have been linked to some of the biggest names in what is already one of the deepest running back classes in recent memory, with Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley emerging as viable targets for contenders across the league. The Ravens needed someone with more upside than Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins.

Henry may have seemed like an obvious choice to leave the Tennessee Titans as they start to rebuild, but one must never underestimate the appeal of staying as the hometown hero for the team who drafted him. Luckily, the Titans killed any chance of a reunion with Henry very early in the offseason.

The Titans agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract with former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard. This gives new head coach Brian Callahan a 1-2 punch of Pollard and second-year back Tyjae Spears alongside the developing Will Levis at quarterback.

The Titans have officially moved past the Henry era, leaving him free to chase a championship with a team that is also willing to compensate him. The Ravens could be in that sweet spot, as they no longer face competition from the only team he has played for in his professional career.

Baltimore Ravens could sign Derrick Henry after Tony Pollard joins Titans

The Ravens will need to restructure some contracts and likely move on from expensive cap hits like Ronnie Stanley and Tyus Bowser before they can free up enough space to sign Henry, but it appears as though those moves being made are a matter of when, not if, for this front office.

While Edwards has been a tremendous performer as a Raven and Dobbins (when healthy) has a sparkling yards per carry average, those two playerswould tell you themselves that Henry is a cut above. Even as he gets a little long in the tooth, the rare combination of speed and power he possesses is still a weapon for any running game.

Henry was still piling up the 100-yard games and big runs despite playing most of the year for a rookie quarterback and one of the worst offensive lines in the league. Imagine what playing with Lamar Jackson and a Baltimore line that will be much more experienced and competent than what Tennessee had the last two years will do to him.

Henry may have been a high-end target for many around the Ravens, but the idea of signing him went from wishful thinking to a tangible offensive improvement with the Pollard deal.