Dan Pompei: Derrick Henry May Be the Best Offseason Addition for Any Team
The Ravens didn't make the most moves this offseason, but they perhaps made the most impactful one when they signed Derrick Henry.
In an in-depth feature on the four-time Pro Bowl running back, The Athletic's Dan Pompei contended that Henry's extraordinary work ethic and desire to be the absolute best version of himself set him apart.
Pompei then cited following anecdote as an example:
"The prized acquisition of the Baltimore Ravens walks in. … His expression is anguished and distant," Pompei wrote. "Is he OK? Yeah, he's fine, he says. Then why the twisted face? Well, he just came off the field after a June practice with his new team. He messed up a blitz protection. The quarterback didn't take a hit, the defense didn't make a big play, no game was lost. But Henry will think about it until he sleeps, assuming he can.
"And his glower explains why he may be the best offseason addition for any NFL team."
Pompei noted that Henry postponed a planned week off during OTAs this spring because he was unhappy with his performance at a practice.
"In late April, [Henry's girlfriend, Adrianna] Rivas gave birth to the couple's second daughter, Celine Amor. The plan was for Henry to skip a week of OTAs about a month later and spend the time with his family in Dallas," Pompei wrote. "But after the last practice of the prior week, Henry told Rivas he couldn't take the week off.
"'I did terrible, absolutely terrible,' he told her. 'I didn't know what I was doing. I can't end like that. I have to come back. I'm sorry.' Henry eventually took a week to stay home — but only after redeeming himself at practice. And when he was away, he repeatedly called and texted [Running Backs Coach Willie] Taggart with questions from his tape study."
The article also detailed the 30-year-old Henry's diet and strict training regimen.
"Part of it is competitive spirit," Pompei wrote. "Henry competes with the league's other running backs, with middle linebackers lined up across from him, with the player he used to be and the player critics say he is becoming."
Henry Named One of NFL's 10 Most Intriguing People
ESPN's Dan Graziano identified 10 people who will help shape the next 365 days in the NFL, and Henry was among them.
"Is Henry the missing piece of the roster that will finally get Lamar Jackson and the Ravens past the Chiefs and into the Super Bowl?" Graziano wrote. "Baltimore has been the league's top rushing offense — by a whopping 27 yards per game — over the past five seasons, but its marquee offseason addition was a veteran running back. The Ravens' hope is that Henry, with his punishing running style, can be a consistent focal point of their run game and a fourth-quarter finisher in games where they have a lead.
"Henry is 30 years old, an age at which running backs often are generally well into their decline phase. But considering that he is coming off yet another 1,000-plus-yard season and his sixth straight campaign with at least 12 TDs and an average of 4.2 yards per carry or better, he's also a unique player who could well defy traditional decline timetables. If so, he could be just what the Ravens need."
Former Ravens defensive coordinator and new Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald also made the list.
"Macdonald, who turned 37 last month, has the difficult task of succeeding Seattle coaching legend Pete Carroll, but there are folks around the league who believe the Seahawks might just have found a defensive version of [Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean] McVay — a coaching prodigy with the leadership skills to maintain Seattle's winning culture without skipping a beat," Graziano wrote.
Film Study Shows Marlon Humphrey 'Is Still a Really Good Player'
This offseason, cornerback Marlon Humphrey was labeled overrated by one pundit, underrated by another.
The Baltimore Banner's Jonas Shaffer studied film of Humphrey from last season and concluded that the three-time Pro Bowler "is still a really good player."
Humphrey was limited to 10 games last season due to injuries. Shaffer observed that Humphrey's worst games occurred just as he returned from injury, and his best games came just before he was injured.
Shaffer also noted that it's apparent Humphrey can play wherever he is needed.
"He lined up as an outside cornerback on both sides of the field last season, and after Kyle Hamilton was knocked out of the game against San Francisco, Humphrey slid comfortably into his role in the slot," Shaffer wrote. "That might be Humphrey's optimal position. From 2021 to 2023, he had a slightly-above-average coverage success rate of 53.7% and allowed 1.2 yards per coverage snap when lined up as an outside cornerback, according to the NFL's Next Gen Stats. But, as a slot corner, Humphrey's coverage success rate was 63.4%, one of the league's best marks in that span, and he allowed just 0.9 yards per coverage snap.
"With Brandon Stephens establishing himself as an outside corner, Nate Wiggins better suited to play out wide and little proven safety depth beyond Marcus Williams and Hamilton, Humphrey's versatility could help the Ravens' secondary unlock its best lineups."
Jackson Is Outside Top 10 in PFF's Top 50 Players
Pro Football Focus’ top 50 players rankings have been revealed, and Jackson did not make the top 10. The Ravens quarterback was No. 13.
"It goes without saying that Lamar Jackson is one of the most unique quarterbacks the game has ever seen," PFF's Sam Monson wrote. "Now a two-time MVP, Jackson is in rare air, and 2023 was unquestionably his best season since the last time he won MVP. His 77.0% adjusted completion rate was the top mark of his career in a new offensive system in Baltimore, and he remained an elite rushing threat. Now with Derrick Henry in the backfield behind him, Baltimore's offense could be one of the most fun-to-watch units in the game."
PFF's rankings were based on a combination of past performance, future potential, and overall impact on the game. It's perplexing that Jackson isn't ranked higher, as he is one of the most dynamic difference-makers in the league by any measure.
The PFF top 50 has never accurately reflected Jackson's impact. Jackson was No. 41 in last year's rankings and didn't even make the list in 2021 and 2022. He was No. 8 in 2020 coming off his unanimous MVP season.
Jackson was the third-ranked quarterback this year, behind the Kansas Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes (No. 1 overall) and Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen (No. 12).
The Ravens had five players in the top 50. Only the 49ers (seven) and Chiefs (six) had more. Joining Jackson on the list was Hamilton (No. 26), Henry (No. 31), inside linebacker Roquan Smith (No. 33), and tight end Mark Andrews (No. 46).
Pundit Says Ravens Shouldn't Be Feared
If the Ravens are looking for some bulletin board material this offseason, Fox Sports' Emmanuel Acho provided it.
"I don't know that the Ravens should be feared," Acho said on FS1's "Speak." "They will be good, but not feared."
Acho cited the number of key pieces the Ravens lost on defense and likened the situation to that of the 2023 Philadelphia Eagles, who started 10-1 before losing six of their final seven games, including a blowout to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the playoffs.
"I'm looking at the Ravens, and the concern I have is like, man, those losses matter," Acho said. "[Jadeveon] Clowney matters. [Patrick] Queen matters. [Geno] Stone matters. And the DC matters. You lost a pivotal piece on every single level: the D-line, the linebackers, the secondary."
The counter to Acho's argument is that the Ravens also have a 2023 All-Pro on every level: defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, Smith, and Hamilton.
Moreover, as Sports Illustrated’s Scott Davis noted in response to Acho's comments, the Ravens have a proven track record of maintaining a strong defense despite inevitable turnover.
"The Ravens have generally abided by the principle of letting players go too soon rather than too late," Davis wrote. "Baltimore's ability to draft and develop and fill in holes with little-known prospects has propped them up for years and gives them the benefit of the doubt for those offseason losses."
Quick Hits
Yesterday's Most Read: Late for Work: Ravens’ Offensive Triplets Ranked Second-Best in NFL
- ESPN’s Jamison Hensley looked at where the Ravens offense got better, worse, or stayed the same.
