Based on the projection of Pro Football Focus, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry will repeat as the NFL’s rushing champion in 2020.
Henry led the league in rushing yards in 2019 with 1,540, and his 16 touchdowns on the ground were tied for the best mark in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Jones.
In 2020, PFF projects that Henry will finish with 1,356 yards, over 100 more than the next closest back, the Cleveland Browns’ Nick Chubb.
Betting on Henry winning another rushing title makes sense.
Not only is Henry part of a run-heavy offense that could get him 20 carries or more per game, he’s also running behind an elite run-blocking offensive line that is returning four-fifths of its starters in 2020.
The only real knock on Henry at the moment is his that he’s shaky as a pass-catcher and doesn’t produce a lot in the passing game. This is a big reason why he isn’t able to land a market-setting contract the likes of which the Carolina Panthers gave Christian McCaffrey this offseason.
For the time being, Henry is set to play the 2020 season on the franchise tag, but he and the Titans have until July 15th at 3 p.m. CT to get a deal done — and both sides seem motivated to do so.
Henry’s importance to the Titans is more than just about his rushing totals. The fact is, the entire offense runs through him.
The mere threat of the Alabama product running the football helps set up the play-action, which is responsible for a lot of the success of quarterback Ryan Tannehill last season.
