Derrick Henry makes debut in Baltimore Ravens jersey at OTAs

Derrick Henry has found his new kingdom, albeit on a practice field in Baltimore. And the Ravens wasted no time in sharing photos of what their newest running back looks like in purple and black.

Henry was a focus on Monday when the Ravens started phase three of OTAs. Thankfully for the Ravens defense, it’s all non-contact. So no one needs to attempt to bring down King Henry.

Day one of OTAs, let’s get it ‼️ pic.twitter.com/ZmhhZinQ0u

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 20, 2024

Back in March, Henry signed a two-year, $16 million with the Ravens. Until then, the former Alabama star had spent all eight years of his NFL career in Nashville with the Tennessee Titans. While with the Titans, Henry twice led the NFL in rushing (2019 and 2020). He made the Pro Bowl four times, including after his final season in Tennessee.

Now, he’s with the Ravens and will be in the same backfield with NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. Baltimore is one of the best teams in the NFL, with the Ravens reaching the AFC title game. The Ravens already boasted the top rushing game in the league. It’s mind-boggling to think how much better can Baltimore be with Henry.

Shaun Alexander, another Alabama alum who was the NFL MVP in 2005, believes Henry is the missing piece for the Ravens to win a Super Bowl.

“I think he’s really that good,” Alexander said during an interview with the “Up & Adams” show on FanDuel TV. “He’s such a special, dominant athlete. He trains like he’s a little guy, always trying to stay fit. But he also throws so much weight around — weight room, ball machines. I think that his body can still do it for a few years, so I think he’s going to do something really special.”

Henry already was a force running the ball. At 6-3, 247 pounds, he’s comparable in physique to both linebackers and defensive ends. Against the Ravens, defenses already are somewhat hesitant because they’ve got to account for Jackson running the ball. Henry will smash tentative defenses.

The big running back took a pay cut with the Ravens. But his new contract also features several incentives that can bump his contract an extra $2 million a year. These kick in if he rushes for 1,200 yards or more and scores at least 13 touchdowns. Plus, if the Ravens win a Super Bowl and Henry runs for only 1,000, it’s worth $500,000.

In an interview with Rich Eisen earlier this month, Ravens coach John Harbaugh talked about how Baltimore will use Henry.

“I think what it’s going to look like is what it looked like in Tennessee: him running for a lot of yards,” Harbaugh said. “Maybe even in some ways we’ll create some opportunities because we’re going to possibly spread the defense out just a little bit more. There won’t be as many eyes on him, maybe not as many helmets directed towards him when he gets the ball, and we’ll be able to create just a little more space for him.”

Jackson led the Ravens last season in rushing with 821 yards. Gus Edwards rushed for 810. He signed with the Chargers in the off-season. So there’s plenty of room for Henry to rack up the rushing yards in his new kingdom of Baltimore.