Even if the Tennessee Titans are tied for first place in the AFC South with four other teams, trading star running back Derrick Henry makes sense if they aren’t in contention for the postseason as of the trade deadline.
The two-time rushing champion is in the final year of his deal and will turn 30 in January (a typical age at which running backs begin to show a noticeable decline). One shouldn’t be shocked if Ran Carthon, a first-year general manager, decides to shop Henry rather than take the chance of losing him for nothing.
However, a team like the Los Angeles Rams might use a strong runner like the 2021 Offensive Player of the Year. The majority of Super Bowl contenders appear to have a reliable RB1 in place.
Three straight seasons with a passing TD for Derrick Henry 👑
(by @FanDuel) pic.twitter.com/ghhrt4oUCc
— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2023
LA Rams performing beyond expectations
Despite playing without Cooper Kupp for the first four games of the season, LA has outperformed expectations with a 2-2 record. The passing game will benefit significantly from Kupp’s return, but the rushing offense might use some help after Cam Akers was traded to Minnesota.
The Titans cannot demand a king’s ransom for an RB in his contract year who is getting older. Van Jefferson, a promising wide receiver, and a 2024 fourth-round pick—which would advance to the third—should be offered by the Rams in exchange for Henry.
CLASSIC DERRICK HENRY 😤 pic.twitter.com/4qB0wXC1sT
— PFF (@PFF) October 1, 2023
While Kyren Williams is off to a solid start with the Rams, adding Henry to the backfield would give LA’s explosive attack a powerful 1-2 punch as they attempt to compete with the other top teams in the NFC.
Most games with 100+ rush yards against a single opponent since *2010:
• Derrick Henry vs Colts (7)
• Derrick Henry vs Texans (6)
• Derrick Henry vs Jaguars (6)
• Adrian Peterson vs Packers (6)
• Nick Chubb vs Bengals (6)*Henry entered the NFL in 2016.
Titans face the…
— Tony Holzman-Escareno (@FrontOfficeNFL) October 4, 2023
Given their historical success in locating gems with day two and three picks, a mid-round pick would be a good reward for Tennessee. Also worth a shot is Jefferson, who needs a new beginning after failing to build on his 802 receiving yard best season of his career in 2021.