Why Derrick Henry isn't getting the proper respect from one sportsbook
There has been much debate throughout the course of the offseason over who the best running back in the NFL is. It wasn’t until a Jones fracture sidelined Titans RB Derrick Henry for the final nine games of the 2021 season before Colts RB Jonathan Taylor entered the conversation. BetMGM released its odds on who […]
There has been much debate throughout the course of the offseason over who the best running back in the NFL is. It wasn’t until a Jones fracture sidelined Titans RB Derrick Henry for the final nine games of the 2021 season before Colts RB Jonathan Taylor entered the conversation.
BetMGM released its odds on who will finish the 2022 regular season with the most rushing yards. The list goes as follows:
Henry/Taylor +600
Dalvin Cook + 900
Nick Chubb/Elijah Mitchell/Joe Mixon +1400
Anthony Gibson + 1600
Najee Harris/Javonte Williams/Cam Akers +2000
Watch the Throne
Though Taylor took the rushing throne last season, Henry had a substantial lead at the time of his injury. Henry was on pace to secure his third-straight rushing title, showing no signs of slowing down before the fluke injury.
Taylor has received tons of buzz after finishing 2021 with 332 carries for 1,811 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. It was more than enough for the Colts’ back to receive All-Pro honors in just his second season.
Whenever King Henry’s reign comes to an end, the torch will be passed to Taylor. But will that time come in 2022? I’m not so sure.
Henry returned to action in the Titans’ AFC Divisional Round loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. While he did not look like the dominant player fans have become accustomed to seeing on Sundays, it was a promising sign that his unique injury wouldn’t develop into a long-term issue.
Not only did Henry win back-to-back rushing crowns in 2019-2020, but his usage rate was also tops in the league. The Titans’ phenom eclipsed 300 carries in each of those seasons and showed no signs of slowing down, improving as the season went along.
Titans offensive coordinator Todd Downing might opt to keep Henry on a leash early in the season. But with Tennessee’s offensive identity centered around running the football, Henry will undoubtedly get his touches.
Henry and Taylor both provide tons of value in the betting market with 6/1 odds. However, if I had to decide between the two I’m sticking with Henry. When healthy, he has been nothing short of the game’s best running back and was threatening to top 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons before going down last year.
To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best — when he’s healthy. The AFC South could very well be decided by which running back find the most success in 2022. Taylor’s time will come, but at 28 years old, I believe Henry still has a lot left in his tank.
