Derrick Henry is in place atop the Ravens’ depth chart coming into 2024, after he turned certainly one of a number of working backs who rapidly discovered new properties in free company. When reflecting on his Baltimore deal, he confirmed that was his most popular vacation spot.
“For the document, Baltimore was at all times my No. 1 choice,” Henry mentioned throughout an look on the “Jim Rome Present.” “That’s at all times the place I wished to go. And like I mentioned, I do know the commerce talks [during the season], it was virtually going to occur, however I didn’t know as soon as free company began in the event that they nonetheless felt the identical means till I talked to my agent to see what was actually happening.”
Certainly, the Ravens remained a high suitor for the previous Offensive Participant of the Yr. Workforce and participant labored out a two-year settlement price as much as $20M in brief order, giving Baltimore a brand new lead again. Henry had contemplated a deal sending him to the Cowboys, owing to the actual fact he lives in Dallas in the course of the offseason and the departure of Tony Pollard. The Cowboys by no means made contact a couple of deal, nonetheless, leaving the 30-year-old free to hitch a Ravens crew identified for counting on a run-first offense.
“I simply felt prefer it match, their tradition, what they’re all about,” Henry added. “I really feel prefer it matches my fashion of play, and I simply felt prefer it was going to be destined in some unspecified time in the future… You realize you are feeling such as you’ve obtained a sense about one thing, it simply feels prefer it’s meant to be? That’s what I felt about Baltimore.”
Henry, a two-time speeding champion, will deal with lead again duties in 2024 on a Ravens crew that misplaced Gus Edwards and has seen J.Okay. Dobbins go unsigned nicely into free company. The crew does have Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell on the books, although the latter is rehabbing an ACL tear. Because of this, the Ravens might very nicely be out there for a backfield addition later this month.
Common supervisor Eric DeCosta confirmed throughout a Tuesday information convention there’s a “robust likelihood” Baltimore drafts a working again this yr, by way of the crew’s web site. Different positions — equivalent to offensive line, cornerback and edge rusher — signify extra pressing roster priorities as issues stand. With 9 choices, although, the Ravens can have the prospect to make use of Day 2 or 3 so as to add a rookie behind Henry within the crew’s new-look backfield.