Ravens starting running back ranked as 2nd-best in the entire NFL

The Baltimore Ravens' backfield will look and feel different this season. Former starting running back Gus Edwards is now a Charger and former Tennessee Titan and newcomer Derrick Henry is set to usurp him.

Derrick Henry is poised to form an elite ground game alongside Lamar Jackson

Henry is coming off a modest season, at least for his standards. The one-time 2,000-yard rusher eclipsed 1,000 yards for the fifth time in his career last season with 1,167 yards on the ground. Henry found the endzone a bunch, accumulating 12 rushing touchdowns as well. He earned his fourth Pro Bowl invite, solidifying him as a consistent threat out of the backfield.

While Henry has shown that he can amass yards and touchdowns with the best of them, the Tennessee Titans still let him walk in free agency, There's no doubt that he's a talented back, but the wear and tear on a soon-to-be 31-year-old going into his ninth NFL season surely scared the Titans. It must have frightened them enough to cut ties with the future Hall of Famer and let him walk for nothing.

Many fans and analysts don't believe Henry has much left in the tank. In eight NFL seasons, the running back has played 119 games and has over 2,000 carries. Running backs have relatively short shelf lives and his longevity is a testament to his work ethic and determination. However, not everyone believes that Henry is on the decline. Some pundits and fans believe playing for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will help Henry return to All-Pro form.

In a recent ranking of every NFL running back by Maurice Jones-Drew of NFL.com, "King Henry" ranked second-best. The only running back ranked ahead of Henry was San Fransisco 49er great Christian McCaffery. Here's what Jones-Drew had to say about Henry:

"In each of the last five seasons, the Ravens’ leading rusher has been ... a quarterback. As good asLamar Jacksonis in the run game -- it's no wonder Baltimore has fielded a top-three ground attack every season since drafting the dynamic dual-threat -- Henry adds a physical, downhill element that will take the offense to the next level. The 6-foot-2, 247-pounder is one of the best backs of his generation, and the Ravens know "King Henry" can practically hit 1,000 yards in his sleep. This is the perfect spot for the 30-year-old to add to his already-illustrious career."

Henry's aggressive and punishment-like running style will pair exceptionally well with Jackson's flashy speed and evasiveness. The two should continue to form the best rushing attack in the NFL.

Lamar Jackson can't wait to get on the field and dominate with Henry

Lamar Jackson has led his team in rushing each of the last five seasons. There's no doubt that Jackson is dynamic and his abilities transcendental. There's also no doubt that giving Jackson relief in the running game will help the two-time MVP be more well-rounded.

It's easy to picture the Ravens' ground game this year. The tandem will form its own iteration of the "Smash and Dash" that was once coined by former Tennessee Titans LenDale White and Chris Johnson. In a postgame interview after the Ravens' 13-12 preseason win against the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday, Jackson spoke highly of Henry and insinuated the pair has big plans for the season.

Per Nathaniel Marrero at SI.com, Jackson spoke after the game and provided his take on having "King Henry" around, "It's hard to explain,"Jackson said. "That guy is different. [He's] a fast, huge physical guy I can't wait until the games start and we can show the world what we're capable of."

The Baltimore Ravens offensive attack will be much improved with Henry in the backfield. Jackson and Co. haven't had a weapon like this in a minute. The Ravens have entered Super Bowl-or-Bust atmosphere and anything short of bringing home the Lombardi trophy will be considered a failure.

The addition of the second-best running back in the league should help this team get over that hump and bring this proud franchise back to the winner's circle.