Although the importance of runners in recent years has fallen into NFL, Dallas Cowboys faced the 2024 season with a striking strategy: it did not hire any high-profile players despite having lost Tony Pollard. This is how the campaign began with only Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott y Deuce Vaughn in the position.
And this was a deliberate decision, since there were several running backs who jumped from one team to another like Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens), Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles), D’Andre Swift (Chicago Bears), Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers), Alexander Mattison (Las Vegas Raiders), J.K. Dobbins (Los Angeles Chargers), Aaron Jones (Minnesota Vikings) y Devin Singletary (New York Giants), for example.
The Sporting News focuses on Henry, who at almost 31 years old remains current and has a great impact on his new franchise. Below, an analysis of how the Texans could have fared if they had made a big splash in Free Agency.
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How the arrival of Derrick Henry would have impacted the Dallas Cowboys
Unlike the rest of the market, Dallas Cowboys He did not act quickly in Free Agency and thus lost great opportunities. In reality, he decided to do without a top-level broker to renew the contract of Dak Prescott. The quarterback, before starting the season, signed for 240 million dollars for four years, making it the best payment in the league with an average of 60M. And this determination, seeing the results of the Texans before their free week, raises doubts.
In Week 6, those led by Mike McCarthy suffered one of the worst defeats in history: the 9-47 loss against the Detroit Lions ranks as the fifth hardest loss since the franchise debuted in 1960. With a 3-3 record, Today the Texans are out of the Playoffs. Which would probably be very different from having Derrick Henry. The running back, from the Tennessee Titans, signed with the Baltimore Ravens for two years and 20M.
The Ravens (4-2) are looking to be candidates for the NFL championship and Henry has a key role in the organization. His performance has surprised locals and strangers despite his very good scrolls: leads the league in rushing yards (704) and total touchdowns (9). He is also the running back with the most attempts: 119, five more than Jordan Mason (San Francisco 49ers).
Derrick Henry through the first SIX games:
– 119 carries (1st in NFL)
– 704 rushing yards (1st in NFL)
– 8 TDs (1st in NFL)– 6 receptions
– 49 receiving yards
– 1 TDThe #Ravens have a 👑 pic.twitter.com/Bw19w3bJgc
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 16, 2024
Without a running back to match, McCarthy put together a game plan with few carries: he recorded 463 yards, being the least effective in that area, behind the Las Vegas Raiders (477) and the Los Angeles Rams (487). His average of 3.5 per attempt is also the poorest in the entire NFL. This has made Prescott more predictable (and inaccurate): the QB has six interceptions against just eight touchdowns.
What would have happened if Henry had been Jerry Jones’ choice? It is not known. But in the field of “futurology” it is possible to play. Everything indicates that the Cowboys would have a better record and would even lead their division.
In the 44-19 loss against New Orleans SaintsDallas forced Prescott to use his arm too much and the QB was intercepted twice. If he had had a reliable RB, he could have taken advantage of New Orleans’ poor defense on the ground: it is the third most yards per attempt allowed.
This interaction between Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry😂
Jackson: “I’ll forgive you if you run for 2,000 this game”
Henry: “Bet, I got you” pic.twitter.com/ZdAZhwZFyb
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) October 15, 2024
Facing Baltimore Ravensin the 28-25 loss, the Cowboys tested the poison of Derrick, who rushed for 151 yards and reached the end zone twice. To this he added a single reception for 23 yards. The fall vs. Detroit Lions It seemed to be inevitable, but such with Henry could have been less.
Dallas still has time to look for a transfer (although it seems difficult) to face an extremely demanding schedule, with four extremely difficult duels in the following weeks. They hope for it: San Francisco 49ers (W), Atlanta Falcons (W), Philadelphia Eagles (L), Houston Texans (L) and Washington Commanders (W).
