Star running back Derrick Henry has already made clear he wants to remain with the Tennessee Titans next season, and it’s expected that striking a multi-year deal with him or using a franchise tag on the rusher will be high up on the priority list.
But what if the Titans don’t bring Henry back?
It’s kind of hard to imagine the new-look offense that propelled the Titans past their 2-4 start and just one game short of a Super Bowl LIV appearance without Henry leading the ground attack.
Henry will be looking to cash in, and rightfully so, after finishing the 2019 season with the NFL’s rushing title over Cleveland’s Nick Chubb.
Aside from Henry, the Titans have Dalyn Dawkins and Dion Lewis at running back — two players who have flashed potential and done some nice things, but come nowhere close to the production or overall ability of a player like Henry.
If the Titans are going to get rid of one to free up some extra cap space – which would be logical at this point to keep both Henry and quarterback Ryan Tannehill – Lewis would be the wise option to let go.
Henry once played second-fiddle to Lewis, but outdid him by more than just a large margin when he was used properly and got the proper amount of carries.
But if the Titans were to end up without Henry, dipping into free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft could be fruitful.
Names like the Houston Texans’ Lamar Miller certainly raise eyebrows, as do Georgia’s D’Andre Swift and Wisconsin’s J.K. Dobbins.
ESPN’s Turron Davenport also named LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire — who basically served as the Tigers’ own version of Henry on their national championship season – as a viable choice for the Titans in the later rounds.
Keeping Henry on roster is the smartest move the Titans could make for their rushing offense, but the team has options.
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