Week 4 at Philadelphia Eagles
Derrick Henry got 18 carries for the second week in a row and, for the second consecutive week, did little with them, gaining 57 yards one week after picking up 56. At least he's consistent. He's also catching zero passes. Maybe a return to the lineup from Marcus Mariota on a full-time basis gives a little clarity here. But Henry isn't worth anything other than being considered a flex play option.
Week 3 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Derrick Henry got 18 carries last week—four more than Dion Lewis. But he provided nothing in the passing game, so his 56 yards were largely empty. This is just not a good spot for Henry unless you're really hurting for a flex play.
Week 2 vs. Houston Texans
Here we go again with Derrick Henry, whose middle name should be Enigma. He touched the ball only 11 times (10 carries and one five-yard reception). Dion Lewis, meanwhile, received 21 touches. To add insult to injury, Henry wasn't a go-to option in short-yardage situations, either. Henry produced just 26 total yards. He's nothing more than a shot-in-the-dark flex option this week.
Week 1 at Miami Dolphins
With weather sure to be a factor in Miami because of the heat, this promises to be a game in which the Titans lean on their running game. That's the good news. The bad news is that it also means the Titans could split those carries up. The Dolphins also limited Henry to nine yards on four carries in a meeting last season. But he should get 15 or so carries, which should make him a decent flex option, especially if he can get into the end zone. But he isn't as valuable in PPR leagues because of the presence of Lewis.
Fantasy Upside
Derrick Henry saw his rushing numbers jump considerably last season as he went from 490 yards as a rookie to 744 in his second season. And he doesn't have a similar back in DeMarco Murray to share time with this season. He's a big (6-foot-3, 244 pounds) back with power, who also has surprising speed for a player his size. Henry also works behind a solid offensive line and should get the majority of the goal-line touches this season.
Fantasy Downside
The Titans just don't seem to like the idea of making Henry a guy who will get 300 touches. He did see his carries go from 110 two years ago to 176 last season. Even though Murray is now gone, he'll be splitting time with Dion Lewis.
2018 Bottom Line
If Henry's carries top 200 this season, which isn't a stretch, his value rises to a guy who should put up 900+ yards. He's not going to give you much in the passing game, though. A season with 225 total touches isn't a crazy projection. Lewis will be drafted higher because of his pass-catching ability. But Henry should get the goal-line producer. He's scored five times on the ground in each of his first two seasons. I could see eight scores this season rushing. That puts him in RB2/RB3 range. His current fourth/fifth-round ADP is very high. In fact, he's being taken higher than Lewis by a full two rounds. Lewis, however, has a lengthy injury history, which could play into Henry's favor. I don't know that I'd bite where his current ADP has him, but I'd certainly take him in Round 6.
Divisional Round at New England Patriots
Derrick Henry had 23 carries for 156 yards and a touchdown last week and could be poised for another big rushing day if the Titans can keep things close. He won't give you a lot in the passing game, but Henry should be a decent RB2 option in this game as the Titans try to slow the game down against New England.
Wild Card Round at Kansas City Chiefs
With DeMarco Murray out this week, Derrick Henry should again get all of the carries for the Titans as he did last week when he had 28 rushing attempts for 55 yards. He also scored on his only reception, a 66-yard gain. He should have greater success against Kansas City's middle-of-the-road run defense. But that also only works if the Chiefs don't get too far ahead. He should be good for 20 touches this week, which makes Henry an RB1 option.
Week 17 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Derrick Henry carried the ball 8 times for 25 yards last week, even with DeMarco Murray knocked out of the game. Murray wants to play this week but there doesn't seem to be a lot of reason to do so. That means Henry should get 15 to 20 carries this week. That's good enough to make him an RB1 against the easier part of Jacksonville's defense to solve.
Week 16 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Derrick Henry remains nothing more than a FLEX option that hits a home run at times because there's little rhyme or reason to why he's not playing more. He had 7 carries for 19 yards and 2 receptions for 9 yards in another low-touch performance last week. It looks like a wasted season.
Week 15 at San Francisco 49ers
Derrick Henry was given just 8 carries last week, which he turned into only 20 yards. He salvaged the day with a touchdown run, but you can't count on that each week. Henry is still getting secondary carries to DeMarco Murray and there doesn't seem to be any end in sight to that. Use Henry as a FLEX play and hope he has another breakout game.
