Predicting whether or not Derrick Henry will be traded by end of NFL Draft

Let’s assess if Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry will be traded to a team like the Philadelphia Eagles at any point during the 2023 NFL Draft.

Derrick Henry has spent his entire NFL career out of Alabama with the Tennessee Titans, but there is a chance the future hall-of-fame bell-cow back could be dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles at some point in the 2023 NFL Draft.

This juicy rumor all began on Saturday when ex-NFL player and fellow CAA client Akbar Gbajabiamila reported that the Eagles were looking to trade for Henry. While the Birds do need to effectively replace Miles Sanders in their backfield, Henry is pushing 30 and why didn’t they re-sign a cheaper and younger running back in Sanders in the first place?! This whole thing feels odd.

Although this rumor sounds too strange to be made up, let’s discuss if there is any validity to this.

NFL rumors: Will Philadelphia Eagles trade for Derrick Henry during NFL Draft?

Of the three hall-of-fame-caliber players who are potentially on the trade block heading into Thursday night’s draft, Henry is the one I feel the least certain about him being dealt. I expect for the Green Bay Packers to figure out a fair-enough trade package to get Aaron Rodgers out of their building. I am on the fence over the Arizona Cardinals possibly moving on from DeAndre Hopkins.

To me, this all really comes down to the two general managers who would have to make this potential trade work: The seasoned front-office executive Howie Roseman of the Eagles and the newcomer Ran Carthon now of the Titans. Carthon is a total mystery to me, so this gives me some hope that a deal like this could potentially happen. However, Roseman has a proven track record.

Philadelphia may like to run the ball, but the Eagles are never willing to pay a premium at this position. They traded LeSean McCoy in his prime to the Buffalo Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso, but even that may have been more to do with Chip Kelly being in the building than anything. I mean, they just let Sanders walk, which I don’t really understand, but here we are, so good luck with that!

Would Henry thrive in Philadelphia? Definitely, but trading for him could compromise the Birds’ future. Henry is every bit his generation’s version of Adrian Peterson, but even he had a definite shelf life. He may have four more good years left, or he may only have one. Who knows, honestly? Still, I think they are more likely to draft Texas’ Bijan Robinson if the Atlanta Falcons pass on him.

As far as the Titans are concerned, let’s just hope Carthon and head coach Mike Vrabel are on the same page and have owner Amy Adams Strunk’s blessing to do whatever is in the best interest of the Titans franchise. To say Vrabel blew a gasket when Carthon’s predecessor Jon Robinson traded wide receiver A.J. Brown, to the Eagles nonetheless, would be putting it lightly. Vrabel was furious!

While Vrabel has no worries about his job security, does he even want to rebuild in Nashville? He is probably the top candidate to replace Ryan Day at his alma mater should Ohio State turn on Urban Meyer’s latest and greatest disciple. It’s college, but it’s also Ohio State. Given Vrabel’s competitive nature and tenacity for winning, I doubt he will want Carthon to trade his best player to the Eagles.

Ultimately, the Eagles’ fit for Henry is not as perfect as we initially thought. As far as how Gbajabiamila works into all this, hear me out. I don’t think he got bad intel because why would he lie and put his name on this? My best guess if their shared representation are trying to devise a plan of attack so that Henry gets a new contract and never has to play for another NFL franchise.

I could be totally wrong in this, but I feel Rodgers and Hopkins get traded before Henry ever does.