Week 3 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Derrick Henry might not have Wally Pipped DeMarco Murray just yet, but he's getting closer after a 14-carry, 92-yard effort last week with a score with Murray sidelined with a tight hamstring. Mike Mularkey expects Murray to play this week, but if he doesn't, bump Henry up against Seattle's defense, which got gashed on the ground last week. If Murray does play, Henry might have earned a little more playing time, making this more of a true time share in which neither is worth more than a low-end No. 2 RB start. The water is getting muddy in Nashville.
Week 2 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Derrick Henry carried the ball only 6 times for 25 yards last week, as DeMarco Murray played 73% of the snaps. That's what you can look forward to from Henry, as Murray will continue to get the bulk of the action as long as he's healthy. Henry shouldn't be in your lineup.
Week 1 vs. Oakland Raiders
Derrick Henry received 10 carries against the Oakland Raiders early in the season and recorded 45 yards. Henry's no sure bet to get double-digit touches in this one—he had just four games with that many carries last season. As long as DeMarco Murray stays healthy, Henry is only going to get a handful of carries per game. Might that be enough to be used as a flex? Possibly. But there are better options you can turn to.
Fantasy Upside
Derrick Henry is big, strong, and fast. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry on his 110 rushing attempts last season and is also a decent receiver out of the backfield (catching 13 of his 2016 targets). There's a lot to like with the young Henry on an improving team.
Fantasy Downside
Henry enters the 2017 season as the No. 2 running back on the depth chart behind DeMarco Murray. Last season, that role only saw him reach double-digits in carries four times. And he never had more than 16 rushing attempts in any game.
2017 Bottom Line
As long as Murray is healthy, he's the lead back in Tennessee. But he's also 29 and 29-year-old running backs get nicked up. Henry is too good to not be on your roster, especially if you draft Murray early. And who knows, there's an off chance that if he gets a shot, he doesn't give the job back. Henry's current ADP is in the round nine to ten range, which is a little high for a player without a defined role, but he's that good.
Week 16 at Jacksonville
Henry syphoned off a pair of touchdowns from DeMarco Murray last week and gained 58 yards on just nine carries. He's from the Jacksonville area, so this will be a trip home for him, which could be a motivating factor. Even so, Henry doesn't get quite enough touches to be useful as anything more than a shot in the dark as a flex play.
Week 14 vs. Denver
Henry has seen his playing time amp up in recent weeks because of DeMarco Murray's toe injury, but Murray's toe should be a little better off coming out of the bye. Henry will still likely get a handful of touches, but it won't be enough to help you win this week.
Week 11 at Indianapolis
Henry returned from a calf injury to get nine carries for 33 yards in his secondary role. Even against a soft Indianapolis run defense, it would be a stretch to recommend Henry for anything other than a flex role.
Week 9 at San Diego
With DeMarco Murray dealing with a toe injury, Henry got a career-high 16 carries last week and turned that into 60 yards and a touchdown along with four catches for 37 yards. Murray is expected to play this week, but Henry has likely earned a little more playing time. San Diego has allowed 10 rushing touchdowns to running backs this season, so opportunities will be there. Henry won't get you enough to be used as anything more than a possible flex, but at least he's now on the radar.
Week 8 vs. Jacksonville
Henry saw just one carry for three yards last week as DeMarco Murray continues to get the bulk of the work. Perhaps Henry will get a few more touches on a short week, but it's nothing you can count on.
Week 7 vs. Indianapolis
Henry had two carries for seven yards and two receptions for 20 last week. Four touches isn't going to win you your matchup.
