Darrell Henderson
#5 Running Back by Football Addicts
Born: August 19th, 1997 (21 years old)
Height: 5’8
Weight: 208 Lbs
Position: Running Back
University: Memphis
About Darrell
Henderson said at the NFL Combine that he feels like he has been overlooked since high school and was only recruited by 1 power 5 school in 2015. He wanted to use his chance at Memphis to prove that size isn’t important for a running back. 3 seasons, and 4,302 all purpose yards later, he ranks 2nd in Memphis’ record books. He ranks 2nd in career rushing touchdowns behind DeAngelo Williams as well. His freshman season at Memphis, Henderson saw action in all 13 games, and started 6 of them. He was their 3rd leading rusher with 482 yards, and 5 touchdowns and also saw work as a kick returner. He had the 2nd longest return in school history (99 yards) against SMU that season. In 2017, Darrell had taken over the starting running back job, starting in 10 of the 12 games he played in. He would lead the team in rushing yards with 1,154 and had nine touchdowns. The best stat about that season was his 8.9 yards a carry, as he only got 130 carries. He was able to have such a hefty number due to his big play ability, and had two 80+ yard touchdowns that season. He would get 85 more carries his next season, and rushed for over 1,900 yards (1,909) and 22 touchdowns for the Memphis Tigers. In 2018, he rushed for over 150 yards in 8 of the 13 games he played in, and Henderson had three 200 yard rushing games, and was one yard from 200 against UCF. Henderson’s mission at Memphis was to open the eyes of his doubters, and let nation know that small backs can be workhorses as well. He did just that, leaving as one of the best athletes in Memphis’ history, and soon to become an NFL back.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Henderson posted the sixth fastest 40 yard dash time at the NFL combine, at 4.49, Henderson has good ball carrier vision and is patient when looking where to go. Once he finds where he wants to go, he will show off his great acceleration and one step burst to the next level. Another thing I like about his game is the fact he doesn’t need a big gap for him to break off a big run. There have been plenty of plays
Weaknesses
I would like to see him more willing to put his hands on a defender when blocking. There are times when he misses a wide open gap and just gets stuck behind a blocker. Henderson isn’t an ankle taking type of a back, lacks elite horizontal agility to make defenders miss. His footwork is average, and struggles to to start back up field after cuts.
NFL Draft Projection/ NFL Comp
NFL Draft Projection
Henderson isn’t my top back, but the class overall isn’t differentiated by much. I could see plenty of teams falling in love with his upside, and take him in the back end of the 1st. I see him fit as a late 2nd round pick, and a team with two late selections is Kansas City. Kareem Hunt is very hard to replace, and the addition of Carlos Hyde isn’t very promising. Drafting Henderson gives you a good committee of running backs that all are very good at different levels of the position. He should be there with their second 2nd round pick, 63rd overall, and would be a great value for an offense that is one step away from being unstoppable again.
NFL Comparison
He might be short, but a 208 Lbs, he still packs a lot of power in his build. Simultaneously though, while Henderson looks like a power back, his speed is his best trait. The way he breaks through gaps, and accelerates to the second level, reminds me of Mike Gillislee back at Florida. Both have a unique combination of speed and build. The Patriots might have not used him for it, but Gillislee has great break away speed in the open field. If paired with a team that already has a top 5 running back like the Rams or Cowboys, he would make a great 1-2 punch.
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