Alabama running back Derrick Henry dominated in his junior season with the Crimson Tide and helped led his team to a National Championship. The Heisman Trophy winner is one of the more intriguing prospects in this year's draft class and should make a strong addition to one NFL franchise's backfield.
Henry rushed for 2,219 yards and scored 28 touchdowns in his junior season, and he is expected to be a bell-cow running back at the next level, as he proved himself to be a physical runner that only gets stronger late in games. The 6-foot-3, 247-pound back will need to work on his ability to catch passes out of the backfield at the next level, but that hasn't diminished NFL teams' interest in the powerful young running back.
Henry has received interest from the Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers in the lead-up to the 2016 NFL Draft, and he said that he has already met with each team. "I really don't care," Henry said when asked about an ideal landing spot. "I just want an opportunity. Three of those teams are all great teams, so just want an opportunity and whichever one of them picks me I'd be happy with."
The Cowboys, Seahawks and Panthers are all expected to be looking for a running back in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft, and each team could provide a strong fit for the Alabama workhorse. Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch's agent confirmed his client's retirement earlier this offseason, and despite running back Thomas Rawls' emergence last season, Henry could provide a physical presence in Seattle's backfield. Rawls announced Thursday that he will be "running soon" after fracturing his ankle in Week 14 of the 2015 season, but Seahawks general manager John Schneider could look to target the coveted Alabama back in the upcoming draft.
The Seahawks have pressing needs on their offensive line, but it will likely look to take the best player available with their first round pick. While Henry could be in play for the Seahawks at the bottom of the first round of the NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys would likely be targeting him at the beginning of the second round with the 34th pick. Dallas could also look to target Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick, as he is considered by most draft analysts the top running back prospect in this year's class.
Dallas did acquire former Redskins running back Alfred Morris in free agency, but that likely hasn't ruled out Henry as a potential draft target in the second round. The Cowboys have multiple needs that they will look to address in the draft, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, and they could be looking to find quarterback Tony Romo's successor in this year's draft.
The Panthers could make the most sense for Henry in 2016, as he would join a dominant team that could look to develop him in their system. Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart turned 29 years old this offseason, and while he clearly still has plenty left in the tank, drafting Henry would give Carolina their future star ball-carrier. Carolina running back Cameron Artis-Payne is heading into his second season in the league, but adding a talent of Henry's caliber to an already dynamic offense could be too good of an opportunity to pass up on.
The Panthers have other pressing needs on their offensive and defensive lines heading into the draft, but much like the Cowboys and Seahawks, they are interested in the powerhouse Alabama running back, as he could prove to be a three-down back at the next level.
