With The First Pick
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NFL Draft Scouts’ take: Derrick Henry

By Carl Cockerham

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) runs with the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) runs with the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) runs with the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) runs with the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

The NFL has changed the rules to become a passing league but that only holds up during the regular season. But it’s paramount to run the football and play good defense to win in the playoffs. So it’s not the greatest of logic to devalue the running back position the way they have in recent years.

So is it the running backs that have come out of college lately?

There haven’t exactly been a whole lot of great running back prospects since Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch back in 2007. After a 2-year hiatus, there were two running back selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft in Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon. Gordon is going to be alright when all is said and done but Gurley has paid immediate dividends.

So far this year, former Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott is solidly projected early into the first round. Former Alabama running back Derrick Henry hasn’t had the same projections, looking like a late-1st-round-to-2nd-round pick. But the 2015 2,000-yard rusher would be a good pick for a team looking to build around a good defense.

Turn the page for three scouting reports on him.

Next: Scout's Take

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