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The best running back in the NFL currently resides in the AFC South | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, September 25th 2025 at 13:40 GMT by Sporting News
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Derrick Henry: The NFL’s Most Dominant Running Back Who Lives in the AFC South

The National Football League is a game of numbers and narratives. For the past five seasons, one running back has consistently written his own story: Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans. According to a recent Sporting News profile, Henry remains the best running back in the league who currently resides in the AFC South—a league that houses four teams but only one player who has managed to keep the spotlight focused on the ground game for so long. This article pulls together the facts, figures, and context that make Henry’s case compelling, while also examining what the future might hold for the 6‑2, 249‑lb powerhouse.

1. The Numbers That Define a Franchise

Henry’s résumé is built on the kind of statistics that translate into headlines: rushing yards, touchdowns, yards per carry, and, more recently, a burst of receiving production. In the 2022 season, the 28‑year‑old finished with 1,549 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, leading the league in both categories for the first time in his career. That performance earned him the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award—an honor that had eluded him in previous seasons, when he was already a perennial Pro Bowler but not the league’s top back.

In 2021, Henry again topped the league with 1,346 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, becoming the first running back since 2009 to rush for more than 1,200 yards in consecutive seasons. The Titans’ offense, which is built around a power‑running scheme, has repeatedly produced more yards than any other team in the league when Henry is on the field, according to the league’s offensive yards per play statistic.

But it isn’t just raw yardage. Henry’s consistency is highlighted by his per‑game averages: 6.9 yards per carry over a 16‑game season in 2021, and a 3‑game stretch in 2022 where he recorded over 200 yards per game three times—a feat no other back has matched in the modern era. His ability to find gaps in the defense is not just a product of power but also of speed, as demonstrated by a 10‑second 40‑meter sprint in the NFL Combine in 2016.

2. A Contract That Keeps the Titans Competitive

The Titans’ front office has made a clear statement about Henry’s value: in 2022, the franchise extended his contract to a four‑year, $60 million deal, guaranteeing $35 million of that total. The deal is a bargain, given Henry’s production and the scarcity of elite running backs. Sports betting analysts note that this contract would have been worth over $100 million if signed in 2015, highlighting the shift in value of RBs after the NFL’s salary cap reforms.

The extension also demonstrates how the Titans plan to build around Henry. In 2023, the Titans added a 5‑round pick (the 16th overall) that was used on running back Rashod Bateman. While the newly drafted back will serve a complementary role, the team’s emphasis on a power‑running attack ensures Henry’s continued prominence.

3. Playing Style: The “Hammer” in Action

Henry’s running style is often compared to a “hammer” that can break tackles. He combines size, explosiveness, and vision, allowing him to take a hard hit and still find a seam. According to the Titans’ offensive coordinator, Mike Vrabel, Henry’s ability to maintain speed after contact is a key factor in the Titans’ high offensive yardage per play, which ranks 1st in the league in 2022.

Defensive analysts highlight Henry’s pass‑catching skill as an additional dimension. In 2021, he recorded 32 receptions for 240 yards and one touchdown, making him a legitimate threat out of the backfield. While his receiving numbers lag behind top wide receivers, his ability to turn a 15‑yard pass into a 25‑yard gain has proved valuable in short‑yardage situations.

4. Context Within the AFC South

In the AFC South, the Titans are the only team that has consistently relied on a single running back as the centerpiece of its offense. The other AFC South teams—the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans—have cycled through a series of running backs over the past five seasons, none of whom have achieved the same level of sustained excellence as Henry.

Because the Titans have had a stable offensive coordinator and head coach (Mike Vrabel) for six seasons, they have been able to build a system that maximizes Henry’s strengths. The Colts, for example, have had a high‑powered offense featuring quarterbacks who thrive on precision passing, whereas the Texans have struggled to find a dependable running back, often relying on a "running back by committee" approach.

5. Looking Forward

While Henry’s current contract runs through the 2025 season, his future with the Titans is the subject of much speculation. In 2023, he signed a three‑year, $30 million extension that guarantees $15 million per season. At 28, Henry is expected to be in his prime through the next three to four seasons, with the potential to reach 10,000 rushing yards and 100 touchdowns over his career.

From a health standpoint, Henry has shown resilience. Though he missed a handful of games in 2020 due to a broken foot, he has maintained a high level of durability. Sports medicine experts point to his rigorous conditioning program—comprising strength training, agility drills, and mobility work—as a key factor that allows him to endure the grueling demands of the NFL.

On the field, the Titans have been experimenting with more balanced play‑calling, allowing the running back to be used more as a “short‑pass” threat. This hybrid approach could keep Henry productive even as the league continues to trend toward a pass‑heavy style. As the NFL moves toward a new collective bargaining agreement, it is likely that the Titans’ salary cap situation will permit them to keep Henry while also adding complementary skill‑position talent.

6. The Verdict

When Sporting News asks who the best running back in the NFL is who resides in the AFC South, the answer is clear: Derrick Henry. His statistical output, contract security, and the unique role he plays within a system built around the ground game set him apart from his peers. While the NFL is a league that rewards versatility, Henry’s power‑running game, combined with his passing ability, makes him a perennial threat.

If the Titans continue to protect and develop his strengths, Henry’s legacy as one of the most productive backs in NFL history will only grow. As the league evolves, the question is not whether Henry will stay in the AFC South—he is already here—but whether he will remain the dominant force on the ground for years to come. The Sporting News profile, with its detailed analysis and insider perspective, serves as a reminder of why Henry has earned his place at the top of the league.