Derrick Henry Next Team Odds: Titans Are Shopping Star Tailback

Over the past few years, it’s easy to pinpoint the only team in the NFL where you could make an argument where its quarterback wasn’t the most important player it had on offense.

That club would be the Tennessee Titans. Ryan Tannehill is a solid enough signal-caller, but the Titans have been carried by running back Derrick Henry. The former Heisman Trophy winner at Alabama led the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns in both 2019 & ’20, and was the 2020 NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Henry was limited to eight games in 2021 due to injury but bounced back this past season with 1,538 yards rushing (second in NFL) and 13 TDs on the ground (also second).

However, the Titans missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018 and might be ready for a reboot in 2023 under new general manger Ran Carthon, himself a former NFL running back. Tennessee already has dumped a few high-priced veterans for salary-cap reasons – Tannehill might be next – and reportedly was shopping Henry at the Scouting Combine.

He is scheduled to make $10.5 million in base salary in 2023, which is the final year of his deal. A trade would save the Titans about $6.3 million in cap space, and the production of running backs once they hit age 30 historically craters. The 2023 campaign will be Henry’s last pre-30 season. Let’s break down the NFL betting options at the top-rated sportsbooks to be Henry’s team in Week 1 of the 2023 season if not the Titans.

Buffalo (+300 favorites for Henry) was a favorite for much of the 2022 NFL regular season according to Super Bowl odds, but lost in the divisional round to Cincinnati and didn’t have a true No. 1 running back all year. Henry would certainly solve that problem and perhaps, allow QB Josh Allen to run less and save wear and tear on his body. Buffalo’s rushing leader, Devin Singletary, is a free agent.

Miami (+400) already has two skill position stars from Alabama in QB Tua Tagoaviloa and receiver Jaylen Waddle, so why not add a third? Henry probably would love to play there as he’s from Florida (Jacksonville area). The Fins’ leading rusher from last season, Raheem Mostert, is a free agent.

The New York Giants (+500) likely only have interest if their own star running back, Saquon Barkley, leaves in free agency – which is looking more and more likely. Barkley’s market will overlap with Henry’s in some circles.

Baltimore (+600) is still deciding what to do with QB Lamar Jackson, but the Ravens always are a run-first team and will remain so under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

New Orleans (+700), Denver (+800), the LA Chargers (+800), Carolina (+900), New England (+900), Philadelphia (+1200), Cincinnati (+1400) and Detroit (+1800) round out the betting options. Henry and Jalen Hurts on the Eagles? That would be scary, and Philly leading rusher Miles Sanders is a free agent.

New Orleans already has started to rebuild its offense by signing QB Derek Carr. Alvin Kamara is a terrific running back but not a true No. 1 at his size and better as a receiver out of the backfield. Kamara also is facing a likely multi-game suspension to start 2023 for an off-the-field issue. The Lions are on the rise, and leading rusher Jamaal Williams is a free agent.