Derrick Henry saw himself become heavily involved in the Tennessee Titans' offense in 2018. In his third season in the NFL, Henry had career-highs in carries, rushing yards, and touchdowns.
The Titans offense shifted to being a run-oriented offense around Marcus Mariota under center. This allowed the former Alabama Crimson Tide running back to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career.
Coming into the NFL, people believed Henry would become a bust due to his inability to change directions. He also isn't a great weapon in the passing game, making him an old-time running back.
Running backs used to just pound the ball between the tackles while the wide receivers were given the task of catching the ball in the passing game. In today's NFL, running backs are expected to be dynamic weapons in both facets of the game.
So can a running back like Henry rise to stardom in 2019 with the Titans? If he continues to remain healthy, there is nothing that can get in the way of Henry. Well, maybe Dion Lewis.
Again, last season, Henry terrorized opposing defenses by showcasing his surprising speed and power for his size. The Titans power back rushed for 1,059 yards on 215 carries and 12 touchdowns last season.
All of those numbers are career-highs and hopefully, the Titans realize what they have in Henry. You don't typically see running backs who are nearly 250 pounds and 6-foot-3, who can run a 99-yard touchdown.
On the 99-yard touchdown, Henry was outrunning cornerbacks and safeties while stiff-arming linebackers. If there is one play that exemplifies Henry as a running back, that was it.
The Titans struggled to throw the ball in 2018, so they turned to Henry to produce on offense. The upcoming season may be different as Tennessee signed Adam Humphries and drafted A.J. Brown at wide receiver.
Although, Mariota has still yet to show that he can be consistent as he heads into a contract-year with Tennessee. Therefore, the Titans should move forward with Henry as the focal point of their offense.
In 2018, Tennessee ranked 29th in passing offense but seventh in rushing offense. Offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur knew that the strength of their offense was in the rushing attack.
LaFleur may have left to be the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, but the Titans can still build upon their impressive 2018 season on the ground. The Titans promoted their tight ends coach, Arthur Smith, to be their new offensive coordinator.
Smith said in a press conference after he got hired that he plans to make Henry a “big part of the offense” in 2019. The Titans starting running back also showed love for the newly hired Smith at the NFL Honors.
“We just got Arthur as offensive coordinator, a guy that I love,” Henry said from the red carpet at the NFL Honors the night before Super Bowl LIII. “I think he is going to do a great job with us. I can’t wait to see what’s is store. I am definitely looking forward to it.
The Titans likely kept the hire in-house so they could have somebody with some sort of continuity with Mariota in a deciding season. Also, it seems like Smith realizes that the Titans can play a physical brand of football with Henry at the forefront.
If people thought 2018 was a breakout season for Henry, then 2019 is the year that the fourth-year running back becomes a star in the NFL.
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