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Derrick Henry Believes Running Backs Should Get Drafted in the First Round

Adam Krieger / NFL, NFL Draft / February 2, 2021

Running Backs drafted first round — (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Running Backs Should Get Drafted in the First Round – Derrick Henry

Running backs should be drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft according to Derrick Henry.

The former Alabama standout who won the Heisman trophy in 2015 was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. However, he believes some of this years draft candidates should be selected earlier than he was.

I am not a fan of running backs being drafted in the first round. To me, the turnover at that position in the NFL is unworthy of spending such an important pick. Derrick Henry, the star Tennessee Titans running back disagrees with me and believes there are two running backs this year that are worthy.

“(Najee) definitely deserves to be a first-round pick, and hopefully he gets the opportunity. The things he did this year, it was just unbelievable. He’s great at running the ball, great at catching the ball. He is the full package. It’s what you want from a guy coming in and being a day one starter at the running back position”
Henry on Najee Harris

It is not surprising for Henry to come to the defense and advocate for his former college’s running back, but he also is trying to get another running back drafted from Clemson, Travis Etienne.

“I think Travis Etienne is definitely well deserving of going in the first round. I know they try and devalue us backs and say that running backs, you can get a running back in the second round. But Najee and Etienne deserve to go in the first round- they have earned it. You have seen it week in and week out, what they did this year, the type of players that they are, it shows on film”
Henry on Etienne

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An NFL mock draft by Bucky Brooks has both of the running backs going in the late teens of the first round, but any mock draft that has Justin Fields at #2 to the Jets is idiotic in my mind so take it with a grain of salt.

TL//DR: Running backs should be drafted in the first round this year according to Derrick Henry