The Baltimore Ravens are getting inquires on future Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry ahead of next Tuesday’s trade deadline, according to league sources, and would be foolish not to listen intently and trade him to a contender.
Even if Henry is averse to changing teams midseason at any point in time, he and left tackle Ronnie Stanley are seen by NFL execs as two of very few commodities this failing team has to trade.
They are almost certain to post another losing season after being considered heavy Super Bowl favorites the past two years.
The Ravens are without two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson for the rest of the season and backup Snoop Huntley as well, they have just two AFC victories (vital tiebreakers if they were in playoff contention; only just the Colts and Titans), and no hope of salvaging this season under new QB, Jacoby Brissett.
NFL GM Speaks On The Rumors
“He could definitely get something for Henry, absolutely,” said one NFL GM who is looking to add at the deadline and talking to many teams, of Ravens struggling general manager Eric DeCosta.
“Stanley, too, but I don’t think he wants to sell. That would be like telling on himself.”
Hmm. Indeed, pride is a helluva drug and it’s dragged many a franchise into the muck, but make no mistake, multiple NFL execs believe Henry, even with declining production in Baltimore behind what is considered one of the worst offensives line in the NFL, and especially unable to execute anything inside runs or under center operation (his bread and butter) that it would be time to trade him.
Henry is a free agent at the end of the season, he is 32, where almost all running back careers expire, and the Ravens are going to be getting younger next season, especially if they try to carry Jackson at an $84M cap hit.
Multiple execs told me they think the Ravens could get third-round value for Henry. After giving away a 2028 second-round pick to the Eagles for struggling (and concussed at the time) offensive lineman Cam Jurgens, this team badly needs additional draft capital.
The industry believes DeCosta will be too stubborn to sell. They also believe it is the only cogent path to start digging out of a massive roster, payroll and salary cap hole, and begin playing the youngsters on their roster.
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