Most football scholars are convinced Alabama RB Derrick Henry will be a second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. With that in mind, here’s a look at the five most likely teams to obtain his services this spring.
5. Tennessee Titans
Getty ImagesTennessee is expected to fortify its offensive line at No. 1 overall by selecting Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil -- adding Henry to the mix at No. 33 overall would clearly make QB Marcus Mariota incredibly happy after playing without a plethora of talent on offense in his rookie campaign.
The Tennessee Titans have a few young backs on their roster in Antonio Andrews, Bishop Sankey and David Cobb, but they don't seem to have faith in any of them. Henry could be the guy to plug in as the feature back right away next season, and the rest could fight to fill out the depth chart.
Tennessee is expected to fortify its offensive line at No. 1 overall by selecting Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil -- adding Henry to the mix at No. 33 overall would clearly make QB Marcus Mariota incredibly happy after playing without a plethora of talent on offense in his rookie campaign.
4. Dallas Cowboys
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Assuming Tennessee decides against selecting Henry at No. 33 overall, Dallas must consider doing so immediately afterward.
Darren McFadden was respectable for the Dallas Cowboys this season, but he's far from a sure thing to be their starter in 2016. The Joseph Randle experiment failed miserably, and Christine Michael is back with Seattle. The Cowboys simply need a big-time running back.
Assuming Tennessee decides against selecting Henry at No. 33 overall, Dallas must consider doing so immediately afterward.
3. Miami Dolphins
Getty ImagesIf both Tennessee and Dallas go in a different direction, it's entirely possible he could fall to Miami at No. 38 overall.
If the Miami Dolphins elect to save some money by letting Lamar Miller sign elsewhere, Henry would be a perfect fit in new head coach Adam Gase's system. Jay Ajayi is well thought of by some inside the Dolphins brass, but he's not the type of incumbent you would pass up Henry for.
If both Tennessee and Dallas go in a different direction, it's entirely possible he could fall to Miami at No. 38 overall.
2. New York Giants
Getty ImagesIf Miami passes on Henry, Jacksonville is set at running back with T.J. Yeldon, so the Giants would have an opportunity to pull the trigger at No. 40 overall.
Whether the New York Giants decide to move on from Rashad Jennings or not, they unquestionably need to add another running back into the mix. Henry would be the pure power runner they desperately need, and could learn under the seasoned veteran Jennings if he remained with the franchise.
If Miami passes on Henry, Jacksonville is set at running back with T.J. Yeldon, so the Giants would have an opportunity to pull the trigger at No. 40 overall.
1. Indianapolis Colts
Getty ImagesAssuming all four of the aforementioned teams neglected to select Henry, it's a virtual certainty that he'd fall to the Colts at No. 48 overall, as the teams that pick after the Giants have much bigger needs to fill.
Frank Gore had a better season than he received credit for considering the circumstances in Indianapolis in 2015 (967 yards rushing, 267 receiving yards, six rushing TDs, one receiving TD) but there's a solid chance he won't be a member of the Colts past next season. Thus, a true No. 1 running back of the future is desperately needed on this roster.
Assuming all four of the aforementioned teams neglected to select Henry, it's a virtual certainty that he'd fall to the Colts at No. 48 overall, as the teams that pick after the Giants have much bigger needs to fill.
