The Tennessee Titans are going nowhere fast this season, entering their Week 7 bye week with a 2-4 record. They have a -13 point differential on the year. Ryan Tannehill suffered yet another high ankle sprain in their Week 6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in London, meaning either Malik Willis or Will Levis will likely take over in the interim. But by the time Tannehill can return from his injury, the Titans might be out of the playoff race altogether.
They already are in last place in the AFC South and three games behind the Jacksonville Jaguars in the win column. With the trade deadline approaching, the Titans might decide it is time to rebuild and become sellers. Tennessee has already traded safety Kevin Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles.
That would include possibly trading the face of their franchise in Derrick Henry. Running backs don't earn that type of acclaim in today's NFL, but Henry has been the exception. Henry has run for at least 1,000 yards in every healthy season since 2018 and 1,500 yards since 2019. The only season he didn't was in 2021 when he was on pace for a 1,991-yard season.
Henry Hysteria
But things haven't gone as well this season. Thanks to a porous offensive line, Henry has only run for 4.34 yards per carry this season, and that has been buyoed by a couple of big runs. Because the Titans' offense hasn't been able to build leads, Henry has played fewer snaps than rookie Tyjae Spears. Things aren't working out, and that has led to speculation that Henry could get traded.
It would make sense. Henry hasn't been as productive this season, the Titans aren't winning like they have in previous seasons, and Henry is entering the final season of his current contract. Those are all great reasons for the Titans to get draft capital for Henry while they can. The question is, who should trade for him?
Baltimore Ravens
JK Dobbins was poised for a big season with the Ravens, but he unfortunately tore his Achilles only a couple of years after he suffered a devastating ACL tear. Gus Edwards has long performed admirably in Dobbins' stead; Edwards has averaged five yards per carry for his career. Justice Hill has also played well this season in averaging 4.78 yards per carry, but he's battled injuries as well and has just 41 carries in six games.
Baltimore's running backs have performed well this season, but they could use an upgrade to open up the offense even further. Derrick Henry on an expiring contract helps a contending team more so than a mediocre one. Henry could make the Ravens' offense even more dynamic and difficult to stop.
Buffalo Bills
If any contending team could use an upgrade in their running game, it would be the Buffalo Bills. Their running game is already quite potent; entering Week 7, the Bills ranked fifth in rushing EPA per play. The Ravens ranked eighth in that department as well. Of course, it helps to have such dynamic mobile quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, but a dynamic bruiser like Henry could make them even more potent.
James Cook has been Buffalo's favorite running back since Damien Harris' injury. He is also an exquisite pass catcher who is elusive and shifty in space. But his 5-11 190-pound frame isn't going to wear down any opponents.
Derrick Henry does. He and Cook would present a similar dynamic that exists between Henry and Spears, but for a team that is competing for a Super Bowl and needs a physical runner like Henry to take some pressure off of Josh Allen. Henry would be a great fit for the Bills. They should pay up to bring him in and help them make a run for the Super Bowl.
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