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New Orleans Saints Draft Profile 2016: Derrick Henry

By Dean Mullen

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) is tackled by Clemson Tigers linebacker B.J. Goodson (44) in the first half in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) is tackled by Clemson Tigers linebacker B.J. Goodson (44) in the first half in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New Orleans Saints may not be immediately in the market for another running back, but what if Alabama’s Derrick Henry was available when they picked on Day 2?

Measurements

  • Height: 6-foot-3
  • Weight: 247 pounds
  • Arm Length: 33″
  • Hands: 8 3/4″

Derrick Henry has no doubt helped Alabama win plenty of games while he was there. Henry was also a standout in high school and holds the record for career rushing yards. Henry also won the Heisman Trophy in 2015, The Doak Walker Award, The Maxwell Award, and the Walter Camp Award. Now, he will enter the NFL Draft as a junior and see if he can continue his success at the next level.

Henry is simply a man among running backs. He’s a Mack Truck running on two legs being 6-foot-3, 247 pounds. Henry is also a guy that seems to get stronger as the game goes on. Henry had almost 30 percent of his runaway carries in the 4th quarter. Henry also has great speed for his size. In the NFL Combine, he led all running backs in the vertical and broad jump. While Ezekiel Elliott will be drafted first, Henry should not be looked at as much of a level down.

The knock on Henry is his mileage. Henry has had over 400 touches in the last year and averaged over 32 carries against stiff competition from the SEC. Sometimes he can also try to dance a little bit too much before going north and south. Once he gets to the line of scrimmage though, the true man steps out to run over anyone in his way. Amazingly enough there’s talk that he’ll go in the second round or maybe the third.

How He Can Help the New Orleans Saints:

Drafting a running back before the third round would shock everyone, including me. If the Saints do go running back, then Henry would be a logical choice, only if they can make some sort of trade. Henry could help the Saints run the ball and control the line of scrimmage. He’s the type of guy that could be a feature back that could carry the rock 20-30 times a game. The Saints could use a physical back that would instill fear on the defense. Henry is simply the one guy that would do that. If there’s any chance he slips to the third round, then the Saints would have to pick him up.

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