The Baltimore Ravens had a relatively quiet start to the NFL’s permitted tampering period.
They are one of the few clubs in the league that has yet to reach an agreement with an outside free agent on the first day of negotiations.
Meanwhile, four players from their 2023 roster have already found other organizations.
Gus Edwards, for example, was the team’s starting running back for the most of the season.
Losing him could push the Ravens to make the huge move at running back that has been predicted all winter.
According to Browns source Brad Stainbrook, the Ravens have been in contact with Derrick Henry, a former Tennessee Titan running back.
Henry’s Fit With the Ravens
Henry was once the NFL’s most dominant running back. At his best, the Titans were able to create a successful offense around him, which is something clubs rarely do with running backs nowadays.
In 2023, he wasn’t the same transcendent player, but he was still very good.
Running behind one of football’s worst offensive lines, Henry gained 1167 yards on the ground, averaging 4.2 yards per carry, and scored 12 touchdowns.
Despite being one of the league’s most run-heavy teams, the Ravens have struggled to produce at the position.
Throughout the offseason, they were expected to change that, and Henry was frequently mentioned.
They had even been the betting favorite to sign him during the summer.
Many other teams have already found their next running back early in the permissible tampering period, so the Ravens should not have much competition in acquiring Henry.
The contract may be slightly more expensive than anticipated due to the surprisingly robust running back market to begin the offseason.
A Surprisingly Strong Running Back Market
During the 2023 offseason, the NFL’s running back market became a hot subject.
Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard all struggled to land long-term deals and ended up playing the 2023 season on one-year contracts.
Austin Ekeler also struggled to earn a new contract from the Chargers.
There has been no similar issue in the league this offseason.
On the first day of legal tampering in the NFL, running backs were among the most popular positions.
Barkley and Jacobs have already received large multi-year contracts. D’Andre Swift and Pollard each received $8 million per year.
Ekeler, Devin Singletary, Antonio Gibson, and Edwards have already been signed this summer.
The Ravens are still looking for their next starting running back in an increased market.
That could make bringing Henry in much more expensive than the Ravens had planned, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’d be an excellent match for a club that enjoys running and now lacks a starter running back.
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