Name: Derrick Henry

Position: Running Back

School: Alabama

Draft Status: Second Round, 45th Pick (Tennessee Titans)

Dynasty Rookie Running Back Ranking: #2

Henry's freshman season saw him backing up both T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake for the Crimson Tide. This came on the heels of him ranking No. 1 in the nation as an "athlete" recruit out of Yulee High School in Florida. 

While it had to be somewhat of a disappointment not to see a ton of action in his first season with Alabama, it must be noted that Yeldon and Drake combined for over 2,200 yards and 23 touchdowns in front of him on the depth chart. 

Henry did break out big time in a mid-season game against Kentucky. He rushed for 111 yards and a score on just six attempts, including an 80-yard touchdown in the game's final minute. 

The talented young running back would go on to tally 161 total yards and two scores in a 45-31 loss to Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. 

Interestingly enough, Henry got his opportunity to see more action the following season with Drake sidelined to injury. Acting as Yeldon's primary backup, the sophomore put up double-digit rush attempts in 10 of the team's 14 games.

His best performance came in a late-season win over Missouri to clinch Alabama's spot in the first ever College Football Playoff. He tallied 141 yards and two scores while averaging over seven yards per attempt. Henry would go on to put up 95 yards and a score in Alabama's loss to Ohio State in the national semifinal. 

Despite the Crimson Tide falling short of their ultimate goal of winning the national title, Henry made it known that he would be the team's starter the next season. With Yeldon entering the NFL, it was now Henry's time to make his presence known. 

He responded by putting up one of the greatest seasons for a running back in the history of the nation. Henry put up 100-plus yards in 10 of Alabama's 14 games this past season, going for a ridiculous 793 yards and nine touchdowns during a four-game stretch in the middle of the year. 

What makes Henry's final season with Alabama so amazing is the workload he saw. Including the 146 rush attempts he put up in the final four games, Henry averaged a ridiculous 28.2 rush attempts per game. This was capped off by a 158-yard, three-touchdown performance against Clemson in the national title game. That put an end to a career that culminated in both a national title and a Heisman Trophy. 

Scouting Report

Strengths: At 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds, Henry is a battering ram in the backfield. He's among the biggest running backs you will see enter the NFL. Henry uses this size to the best of his ability, continually playing with a low center of gravity while getting his shoulder out there towards the defender at the POC. Boasts strong field vision and surprising athleticism for someone his size. Seems to get stronger as the game goes on, finds a way to gain the necessary distance to go on short-yardage attempts. 

Weaknesses: Struggles finding cut-back ability in that second level. Not a tremendous receiving running back. Thinks he's more fluid than he actually is when dancing in the backfield. While he can run over defenders and finish runs, not necessarily someone that will break a bunch of tackles. 

2016 Outlook 

The Titans using one of the two second-round picks they acquired from Los Angeles on a running back seemed to surprise a lot of people. After all, the team had just traded for former NFL Offensive Player of the Year DeMarco Murray. Considering Tennessee is paying Murray north of $6 million annually, the team likely has big plans for him. 

Unlike some of the other top-end running backs in this draft class, Henry's ability to produce at a high level after seeing his workload increase through a game is huge. Unfortunately, if he's splitting time with Murray, there has to be some concern here that he might not be able to make the impact most figured. 

As of right now, Murray has to be considered Tennessee's lead back with Henry coming in at a close No. 2. That's not necessarily a recipe for success as a rookie. Hope for low-end FLEX production here, but expect nothing more than him being a solid bench option in standard 12-team leagues. 

Dynasty Outlook

Henry's long-term fantasy prognosis isn't only complicated by Murray's presence in Tennessee. There are a couple other factors we have to take into account here. 

First off, Henry is the vastly superior running back in terms of talent, meaning he will eventually take over for Murray at some point in the not-so-distant future. You don't spend a second-round pick on a running back without that happening. 

Secondly, Henry provides no real value in PPR-heavy leagues. This will limit his overall value in those contests, potentially pushing him down behind some lesser running backs in the 2016 NFL Draft class. 

With all that said, top-10 fantasy production has to be considered Henry's floor two years from now with top-five production becoming a real possibility. The mere presence of Marcus Mariota at quarterback magnifies this. As does Tennessee's blocking scheme, a scheme Henry was successful in at Alabama.