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

STRENGTHS:

I can’t help but agree with the other two scouts on his patience and vision to find holes at the line of scrimmage. And the way he does it is translatable to the NFL because he’s not one of those guys that just looks for the big hole. He often slips through a small crack and pop out of the other end for a big play.

His ability to find the small crack combined with his power and nose for the goal-line or sticks makes him hard to stop on short-yardage plays. With his 395 carries, he showed the ability to literally carry a team to a championship. Personnel people shouldn’t be concerned about him being too beat up in the college.

He’s not the best at making guys miss but does occasionally and most importantly, he doesn’t give up big hits. He does a good job of getting low and running behind his pads while giving up just a hip and a shoulder. Not enough is made about how fast he is as he absolutely has blazing speed once he gets in the secondary.

Darrell Green and Deion Sanders are no longer in the NFL so don’t expect him to get caught from behind. Henry is a do-it-all ball that can catch the ball out of the backfield or line up out wide and run routes. And in pass-protection, linebackers get stopped in their tracks by him because at 6’3″, 240 pounds, he’s just as big and strong as they are.

WEAKNESSES:

His size and long legs won’t won’t give him the ability to make defenders miss that Elliott has. That lack of twitchiness can be a problem behind the line of scrimmage or out in the secondary.  Behind the line of scrimmage, it makes for a 2-yard loss and in the secondary, that 10-yard run can’t turn into a 60-yard run.

NFL COMPARISON: Eddie George

Next: Bottom Line

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