Derrick Henry Scouting Report, RB, Alabama. 2016 NFL Draft

Introduction

Hometown: Yulee, Florida
High School: Yulee
Recruitment: 5-Star Recruit by both ESPN, 4-Star recruit by Rivals
Injuries/Discipline: Broken Fibula as a Freshman.

Awards:

2015 Heisman Trophy Winner
2015 Doak Walker Award Winner (Best College Running Back)
2015 Walter Camp Award Winner (American Football Player of the Year)
2015 Maxwell Award Winner (Best Football Player in the United States)

Measurables

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 245
Class: Junior
Projected 40 Time: 4.55

Stats

2015: 359 carries, 2061 yards, 5.7 average, 25 TD's. 11 receptions, 91 yards, 0 TD's
2014: 172 carries, 990 yards, 5.8 average, 11 TD's. 5 receptions, 133 yards, 2 TD's.
2013: 36 carries, 382 yards, 10.6 average. 3 TD's. 1 reception, 61 yards, 1 TD.

Positives

• Incredible physicality.
• Finishes runs with authority
• Good deceptive speed for his size
• Improves as the game goes on
• Doesn't go down on first contact
• Good feet and patience in the hole
• Has had success in the toughest college division
• Good nose for the end zone
• Breaks tackles, racks up yards after contact.
• Has above average ability as a pass blocker.

Negatives

• Needs to develop more as a pass catcher.
• Runs very high, tall for his position.
• Lacks a little elusiveness.
• Very much a straight line runner
• Got a lot of carries as a Junior, unusual for a Saban back.

Conclusion

I've seen some people say that Henry is a star in the making; some former scouts have said he is no better than a 4th round back. Personally I'm in the middle, he's a dominating physical specimen who runs hard and will wear defences down. He doesn't have much wiggle but the pure physical power counteracts that to a point. It would be easy to compare him to Jim Brown and just slot him in as another power back, but that's inaccurate. He has deceptive speed, and I've seen him run away from numerous defensive backs over the last couple of years. He can take a little time to get going, and you won't get much out of him asking him to go East/West, but as a pure one cut North/South runner, he's elite. Once he gets up to full speed, it's very difficult to stop him.

Alabama have produced some good backs (Lacy) and some downright terrible backs (Richardson) recently, personally I feel as though Henry will be closer to the 1st than the 2nd. If the Jets choose to move on from Ivory then Henry will be an interesting prospect for them to consider. I wouldn't draft him in the 1st round, but I would consider him in the 2nd.

Draft Grade: 81

90-100 = Exceptional Talent
80-90 = Impact Player
70-80 = NFL Starter
60-70 = Solid NFL Potential
50-60 = Draftable - Lot of work needed
>50 = Undraftable, - Long Shot To Stick