During major periods of NFL player movement, such as free agency and the NFL Draft, it’s often difficult to find consensus among us when it comes to grading moves in the media space. Some may view certain draft picks as a reach, while others may view them as a better bet. Some people consider certain contracts to be expensive, while others prefer a better fit at a higher price.
So when you reach agreement on a transition, you know your team has accomplished something big.
That led to Tuesday’s news that free agent running back Derrick Henry has agreed to a two-year deal with Lamar Jackson. baltimore ravens. The immediate reaction in NFL circles was that this was a big move for the Ravens, coming off a season in which Jackson won his second league MVP award and Baltimore earned the top overall seed in the AFC, but at home. Unfortunately, they did not come close in the match.of kansas city chiefs.
The Ravens are known for their strong rushing attack, and Jackson’s ability as a runner gives him a huge presence in the ground game. 1 His season ago, Baltimore had one of the most effective rushing attacks, with an average expected points added per rush of 0.009, second only to Baltimore. san francisco 49ers And that buffalo bills. The attack efficiency for 2023 is shown below. RBSDM.com:
Which other team had an above-average rushing attack a season ago? tennessee titans, buoyed by what Henry provided in the run game. According to the graph data of Sports information solution Last year, Henry ran for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns with a -0.01 EPA per rushing attempt, ranking 17th in the NFL among eligible runners.
Digging a little deeper into this number, Henry ranked 13th among running backs in that category.
So the Ravens will be signing one of the league’s best running backs to a two-year deal worth $16 million, with a maximum value of $20 million. Those factors alone make this a great move for the Ravens.
However, consider these factors as well. Henry joins an offense on a team that already has a proven running game and a solid running back room to begin with. Justice Hill is already on the roster, as is explosive Keaton Mitchell. Mitchell is working his way back from a knee injury that ended his rookie season, but now with Henry, the Ravens can spend time with him.
And now Henry will have Jackson standing next to him.
As a simple example, take this play from last season. pittsburgh steelers:
Now imagine Jackson standing next to Henry, adding the threat of what he can do as a runner, giving the defense one more thing to worry about.
In Baltimore, Jackson’s presence, along with the other running backs on the roster, allows the Ravens to keep Henry in some pitching numbers, use him as needed, and keep him as fresh as possible for a late-season push. It gives you the opportunity to keep it. .
Henry, who was relatively rested during the playoffs for the Ravens?
It’s a nightmare for other conference attendees.
