Derrick Henry’s Continued Dominance in the NFL

Derrick Henry, at 32, continues to impress in the NFL with exceptional performance last season. Although his 1,921 rushing yards with the Baltimore Ravens marked his most explosive season, he still achieved 1,595 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 2025, ranking second in both categories. He carried the ball 307 times, averaging 5.2 yards per carry, while playing all 17 games for the third consecutive season.

Henry’s physical running style led many to predict a decline, yet he persistently defies these expectations. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler placed Henry at sixth in his rankings for 2026, based on surveys from league executives, coaches, and scouts, with remarks on how Henry’s slowing down appears distant.

A veteran defensive coach echoed this sentiment, noting Henry hasn’t notably slowed from his perspective. While Henry might not be a threat in the passing game compared to others, he remains a significant challenge due to his unmatched self-care.

“He hasn’t really slowed down, to be honest, at least from what I’ve seen,” the veteran coach said. “You can knock him because he’s not the pass threat the others are. But he’s still a major problem. Guy takes care of himself like no other.”

Although players like Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey, and De’Von Achane thrive through their pass-catching abilities, Henry has maintained his Hall of Fame status largely on his rushing skills. He tallied fewer than 200 receiving yards and under 20 catches both seasons with the Ravens.

Fumbles remain his notable vulnerability, with seven recorded over the past two years and four in 2025 alone. Defensive strategies might increasingly focus on this weakness as Henry ages, preferring to exploit ball security issues.

Nonetheless, for pure running capabilities, Henry still leads the pack. He rushed for nearly 600 yards in his final four games last season, underscoring the resistance he poses to defenses.

The Ravens remain Super Bowl contenders in 2026, largely due to the reliance on Henry’s powerful running to advance their offense.