Derrick Henry rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 19: Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) looks carries the ball during the AFC Championship game between the Tennessee Titans and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday January 19, 2020 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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DAVIE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 30: Head Coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins answers questions from the media during a season ending press conference at Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southern University on December 30, 2019 in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

4. Miami Dolphins

The popular belief in NFL circles is that the best friend for a young quarterback is an excellent running game. That would certainly make Henry a good fit for the Miami Dolphins, who are widely expected to draft their next franchise quarterback in April.

The Dolphins were built to tank but exceeded expectations under first time head coach Brian Flores, who got five wins out of a subpar roster, including an earth-shattering win in New England in Week 17 that shook up the playoff picture. There is no doubt Miami is on the way up, but the Dolphins can’t simply draft a bunch of young players and hope they all hit.

The Dolphins could do well to make a big free-agent splash to excite their fan base, and none of the top free agents would be a better fit than Henry. After trading away Kenyan Drake at mid-season, the Miami running game was a mess, headlined by the likes of Patrick Laird and Myles Gaskin. Hell, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick led the team in rushing.

This backfield needs a serious talent infusion, and adding a player of Henry’s caliber would do wonders for the Dolphins. Henry is the rare workhorse back in today’s NFL, more than capable of handling 25 or more carries a game, and his elite size makes Henry a real load for opposing defenders.

The Dolphins would be really smart to sign Henry in order to make their rookie quarterback’s life much simpler. With Henry shouldering a significant portion of the offense, the Dolphins can bring along whatever quarterback they choose slowly, increasing their chances of developmental success.

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