NFL players are never shy in sharing how their recruiting pitches affect some of the top free agents’ decision-making processes. The Baltimore Ravens are no exception.
Despite losing several key players on the 2023 roster, the Ravens made moves to keep the team competitive for the incoming season. One of their bigger moves was signing All-Pro running back Derrick Henry. The former 2,000-yard rusher signed a two-year contract worth $16 million with Baltimore during the early stages of free agency.
Now, some within the organization are sharing the latest recruiting stories involved in bringing Henry to the Charm City.
Marlon Humphrey Shares How the Ravens Recruited Derrick Henry
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey has been a mainstay on an elite defense over the years. Despite some speculation that Baltimore could move away from him, the Pro Bowl cornerback detailed his story of how he recruited Henry to join the Ravens.
Derrick Henry lied to Marlon Humphrey 😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/71XvnDmMjG
— Punch Line Podcast (@punchlinepod44) April 4, 2024
“I get a text message from (general manager) Eric DeCosta,” Humphrey explained on the Punch Line Podcast. “He said, ‘I’m talking to your boy…the King. Do not mess up what I’m doing.'”
Humphrey earlier remarked that he thought DeCosta was calling to let him know that he was being released. Instead, the Ravens’ lead executive gave Humphrey the emphatic notice to not screw up his overall pitch.
Humphrey then realized he had to change his recruiting pitch to Henry to satisfy both his general manager and his former college teammate — even if it meant questioning DeCosta’s recruiting pitch in the first place.
“I told him (Henry) I always wanted to play the Cowboys. He said, ‘That would be nice.’ (I thought) EDC lost his touch,” Humphrey stated. “The very next morning, the dude signed with the Ravens!”
Henry and Humphrey were teammates at Alabama and won a national championship that year in 2015. Now, the two will try to take the Ravens to the Super Bowl.
How Derrick Henry Fits With the Ravens’ Offense
Despite losing starters like John Simpson, Kevin Zeitler, and Morgan Moses during the offseason, the Ravens were uniquely prepared to bring in a player like Henry to the roster.
In his heyday, the former Heisman Trophy-winning running back was considered one of the greatest power runners in league history. Henry led the league in rushing in back-to-back seasons during 2019 and 2020.
He was named Offensive Player of the Year for his work in 2020, a season that saw him become the eighth runner to record over 2,000 yards in a single season.
Henry is coming off another 1,000-yard season in 2023, but he is 30 years old and has over 2,000 carries. That combination usually means the end for most other running backs, but Henry’s size and strength could help provide some help to a Ravens offense that used multiple running backs throughout the 2024 season.
With the Titans last season, Henry was still effective behind an offensive line that struggled throughout the year. While the Ravens certainly have gone through some changes in the group, they have consistently fielded a strong offensive line over the years.
It’s why Henry’s two-year deal might not just be the best thing for the Ravens, but for the talented running back himself. Especially when considering he’s now paired with an elite running quarterback like two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.
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