Derrick Henry: Still Dominant at 32

Derrick Henry, at the age of 32, continued to showcase his prowess as one of the premier running backs in the NFL last season. Although he did not replicate the explosive 1,921 rushing yards from his initial season with the Baltimore Ravens, he still managed to conclude 2025 with impressive statistics. Henry accrued 1,595 rushing yards, ranking second in the league, and matched that with 16 rushing touchdowns on 307 carries. His performance saw him averaging 5.2 yards per carry across all 17 games for a third consecutive season.

Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 250 pounds, many anticipated that Henry’s physically demanding, downhill running style would eventually take a toll. Contrary to these expectations, Henry continues to prove otherwise. On July 7, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler released his top 10 running backs list for the upcoming 2026 season. After consulting with executives, coaches, and scouts, Henry was ranked sixth. Fowler noted that Henry’s “demise still feels far away.” A seasoned defensive coach expressed similar sentiments. “He hasn’t really slowed down, to be honest, at least from what I’ve seen,” said the coach. “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.”

While players like Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey, and De’Von Achane have built reputations for their pass-catching abilities, Henry has maintained his Hall of Fame status through his ground game. In his two years with the Ravens, Henry tallied fewer than 200 receiving yards and recorded under 20 receptions each season.

One concern for Henry has been his fumbles, with seven in the past two seasons, four of which occurred in 2025. As he ages, defenses will likely focus on exploiting this aspect by targeting the ball more aggressively rather than attempting direct tackles.

Despite these challenges, Henry remains unrivaled as the top pure running back in the league. He rushed for nearly 600 yards over the last four games of the previous season, illustrating that defenses tire against him long before he loses steam.

The Ravens continue to be among the favorites for the 2026 Super Bowl, with their offense relying heavily on Henry’s powerful running game.