Running back Derrick Henry was the heart and soul of the Tennessee Titans’ offense last season, particularly through the playoffs.
He finished out the regular season with the NFL’s rushing title (1,540 yards), and then went on to carry the Titans through the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Henry looks to be an essential part of moving the chains for the team once again in 2020.
On Adam Schein of NFL.com’s list of dark-horse MVP candidates, Henry finds a place at the seventh spot, with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen heading Schein’s list in the No. 1 spot.
And, for what it’s worth, Henry seems to have a much better chance of making a significantly positive impact for his team than Allen does, based on, well, history speaking for itself.
“I am obsessed with Henry, so this feels low. But the fact is Ryan Tannehill was excellent last year and should be even better this season, now that he’s entrenched,” Schein wrote. “So the quarterback could take some of the running back’s shine.”
Schein is probably right about Tannehill, as long as the former Miami Dolphin can keep things rolling and not fall back into the inconsistency we’ve seen from him in past seasons.
“Regardless, the reigning rushing king is the straw that stirs the drink in Tennessee, as a physical and dominant back who punishes opponents,” Schein wrote. “This Titans team is legit. Last season wasn’t a fluke. Mike Vrabel and Co. are building something in Nashville.”
For what it’s worth, the last running back to win the MVP was Adrian Peterson in 2011 when he was a member of the Minnesota Vikings. It doesn’t happen often, but it is certainly possible for a running back to win the award.
Even if he doesn’t ultimately earn the title, expect Henry to show up in a big way this season.
