RB #4 Derrick Henry BAL

Any true fan of football, should really appreciate the career of Derrick Henry. He is a gifted player, and a throwback to an era that slipped away like sand through the hourglass. Last year he logged 344 touches, 1,921 rushing yards, 96 first downs (wow!), 19 receptions, 193 receiving yards, and led the league with 16 rushing touchdowns. He logged 18 total touchdowns, and was a powerhouse for the Baltimore Ravens.

He logged 715 snaps, 17 of which were not in the backfield. Don’t forget Henry has a career completion percentage of 77.8%, and four passing touchdowns. That implies he touches the ball on 48.11% of his snaps, a rare feat. Including the playoffs he has 12,425 career rushing yards, 118 total touchdowns, and led the league in rushing attempts four times in his career. Henry is the active leader in rushing yards, and he’s five yards shy of being 4,000 yards ahead of second (Joe Mixon). He has been healthy for every year except 2021 which followed his season of 397 touches… There’s the curse of 375 again.

Henry’s ADP is currently RB #5 and 11th overall. He’s a thick chain wearing, heavy weight lifting, hard nose running, bruising back that is the sheriff of the stiff arm. Although he’s entering his tenth season, he’s an exception to RBs value vanishing after five seasons. Put simply, he’s one of the greatest running backs of all-time. He’s do for another great season as a top five running back. Have no fear of drafting Henry.

LB #4 Roquan Smith BAL

The first teammates grace Mano y Mano. Roquan Smith and Derrick Henry have played against each other, and practiced against each other. And they are both #4 in the top forty countdown. Smith is a perennial stud, a five time All-Pro selection, and one of the most dependable linebackers of this decade. He is on a defense loaded with playmakers at all three levels. Which allows Smith to play worry free football, and roam sideline to sideline.

Smith finished last season with 1,100 snaps with 1,021 coming in the box. He earned 154 combined tackles, 4 passes defended, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 interception. Smith has recorded over 101 tackles every season of his career, and the 101 came in a season he played in just 12 games. Another interesting stat is that he has recorded an interception in every season. He has 11 career interceptions and 36 career passes defended. That is impressive for a guy that is a tackling machine in the box.

Smith rarely makes it to the fifth linebacker off the board, and is oftentimes the first IDP drafted. He is a player that requires reaching if wanted on a roster. He is a “set and forget” IDP, and could finish as LB #1.

Come back tomorrow as we break down RB and LB #3. Subscribe to The Sports Affiliation for this and other articles sent directly to your email.

– Bet Smart, Be Lucky – Iggy