Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins speaks on Derrick Henry's value
NASHVILLE — Signing wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and promoting passing game coordinator Tim Kelly to offensive play-caller this offseason are as good a sign as any that the Tennessee Titans are investing more in their passing game. A franchise that has become famous for it's impressive running back history has always had a preference for […]
NASHVILLE — Signing wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and promoting passing game coordinator Tim Kelly to offensive play-caller this offseason are as good a sign as any that the Tennessee Titans are investing more in their passing game. A franchise that has become famous for it's impressive running back history has always had a preference for keeping it on the ground.
Derrick Henry has been the driving force of Tennessee's most recent success.
Now, Henry's positional value is, again, under attack. Saquon Barkley, Dalvin Cook, Tony Pollard and Josh Jacobs have all experienced that devaluation this offseason. Famous names like Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette wait in the wings, hoping to latch on with another team.
With Henry in the final year of his current Titans contract, it is fair to question how much Henry factored into Hopkins' decision?
"Derrick Henry is one of the best running backs that I would have a chance to play with," said Hopkins. "I think that won't just help us, but the team as well. Derrick Henry being here played a very big part in my decision."
Henry is coming off the third-best rushing performance of his NFL career.
Doing so behind one of the league's worst offensive line units and with a revolving door at the quarterback position makes that feat all the more impressive. Facing loaded boxes is something that Henry has become more than accustomed to. He has done so at a higher rate than any running back in the last two seasons.
Hopkins hopes to alleviate some of that pressure, and help Henry be more efficient.
"Without a good running back, the pass game is very hard to establish. I've played a lot of football. You have to establish the run first. I think those guys are very important to the game.
"Obviously, I've seen what's going on (with the running back market). Not a fan of it."
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
