The Minnesota Vikings are grappling with deficiencies in their run game, which placed them among the bottom five teams in the NFL last season. Pro Football Focus (PFF) has emerged as a vocal advocate for the Vikings to address this pressing issue by targeting Derrick Henry, a distinguished two-time rushing champion, during the forthcoming offseason.
In an insightful piece published on February 5, Brad Spielberger of PFF delved into the Vikings’ struggles with their rushing attack, emphasizing their subpar rankings in both rushing yards per game (91.3) and rushing attempts per game (23.1). These statistics underscore the urgency for the Vikings to revitalize their ground game, especially considering its pivotal role in the team’s offensive success.
Spielberger raised the possibility of Derrick Henry being the solution to the Vikings’ run game woes. He proposed that Henry could serve as an ideal acquisition for the team, particularly given their potential need to nurture a young quarterback, regardless of the future of incumbent signal-caller Kirk Cousins. Describing Henry as a potential “buy-low candidate,” Spielberger hinted at the opportunity to secure the talented running back at a reasonable cost.
While acknowledging the Vikings’ historical approach of not prioritizing significant investments in the running back position, Spielberger posited that Henry’s impending free agency status could present a unique opportunity for the team. Henry’s current contract with the Tennessee Titans, valued at four years and $50 million, is set to expire in March. With Henry entering the 2024 offseason at 30 years old, there’s a possibility that he could be available at a discounted rate, making him an enticing target for the Vikings as they seek to bolster their run game and rejuvenate their offense for the upcoming season.
