As the NFL trade deadline approaches on November 5, attention is turning to which players might change teams. While several names dominate the conversation, Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry is a notable candidate who deserves serious discussion. The 32-year-old is in his eleventh season in the league and his third with Baltimore. Despite being a future Hall of Famer, his current situation has raised questions about whether the team should look to move him.
Henry has maintained his status as a workhorse, leading the league with 158 carries through eight games. He has rushed for 632 yards and eight touchdowns. However, his average of 4.0 yards per carry is nearly a full yard below his career norm. After a spectacular start where he scored eight touchdowns in the first five games, his production has slowed. In the last three games, he averaged just 52 rushing yards, and he has found the end zone only once in the past month.
The primary argument for a trade stems from the Ravens' precarious position in the AFC North. The team sits at 4-4 but has lost three straight games to fall to last place in the division. Star quarterback Lamar Jackson may be out for the season with a right thumb injury, and backup Tyler Huntley is sidelined with a turf toe. This has left the team relying on Jacoby Brissett, who was recently demoted to third-string status in Arizona before being acquired by Baltimore.
Brissett's performance has been inconsistent, including a game where he was benched after completing 10 of 23 passes with an interception against the Dallas Cowboys. The Ravens have been outscored 71-23 in their last two contests, revealing issues beyond the quarterback position. With the offensive line struggling and the defense leaking points in the red zone, the team's path to the playoffs appears slim unless Jackson returns late in the season.
Baltimore could secure a strong return for Henry, as his name alone is valued at a second-round pick. Playoff contenders such as the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings are likely interested. The Giants present a unique angle, as they could reunite Henry with former Ravens coach John Harbaugh. The Cincinnati Bengals might also be interested, though trading to a division rival is less likely.
The market for running backs is currently open, with the Indianapolis Colts' Jonathan Taylor and the Tennessee Titans' Tony Pollard also available. Taylor is younger and has been productive, but if other teams focus on him, Henry becomes an attractive alternative. A bidding war could push the price of Henry higher, potentially reaching into the first-round pick range, although a second-round pick is the more realistic baseline.
General Manager Eric DeCosta built a potent duo with Jackson and Henry in 2024, leading the team to a division title and a near miss at the Super Bowl. However, both players are aging. Jackson will be 30 and Henry will be 33 before next season begins. Their window to compete for a championship as teammates is narrowing, if it has not already closed.
Henry has achieved nearly everything in his career except a Super Bowl title. He is third all-time in rushing touchdowns and is approaching seventh all-time in rushing yards. He is also one of only nine players with a 2,000-yard season, and his 1,921 yards in 2024 remain the record for a player over 30. Trading him now would allow the Ravens to capitalize on his peak trade value and give Henry a chance to win a title with a contender before time runs out.
