Ravens OC Todd Monken: If Derrick Henry gets 300 carries in 2024, 'we're having a helluva year'
No NFL running back has more carries than Derrick Henry since 2018, and Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken hopes that trend continues in the running back’s first season with Baltimore.
“I know this: If [Henry] carries it 300 times, we’re having a helluva year,” Monken said Thursday, via the team’s website. “It means we’re running it a lot. It means we’re up in games. We want him to finish, we want him to be the closer.”
It’s a conceivable feat in 2024 as Henry joins a Baltimore club that’s boasted the NFL’s best rushing attack in three of the past five seasons, including a 2023 campaign where the Ravens topped the NFL in carries (541) while earning the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
Remarkably, the Ravens’ recent rushing prowess has been accomplished without a bell-cow like Henry. Lamar Jackson‘s dual-threat capabilities has been a major quality to an effort that’s been strategized with a RB-by-committee approach. You’d have to go back to 2010 to find a Ravens RB that’s eclipsed over 300 carries in a season.
Monken believed that they effectively rotated the backs last year, highlighting Gus Edwards’ power while also ensuring equal playtime. He noted the emergence of Keaton Mitchell and Justice Hill, but maintained that they would continue to use all their backs and aim to position them for success.
Monken suggested that Henry, who has led the league in rushing yards (8,268), carries (1,744), and touchdowns (80) since 2018, is prepared to handle the workload if Baltimore can establish an effective rushing attack early in games. This would allow their new power runner to finish the game with a lead.
The Ravens appeared to lack something at the conclusion of their playoff run last year. Their 17-0 defeat by the Chiefs, who later became Super Bowl champions, revealed an inconsistent rushing attack that was abandoned early on, resulting in just six attempts by running backs. This lack of confidence in their rushing game, even in a closely contested match, put pressure on Jackson to make plays however possible.
Of course, injuries played a role in that last-ditch effort in the AFC title game. J.K. Dobbins‘ season was over after one game, and Keaton Mitchell‘s blossoming ended abruptly in Week 15.
The Ravens aim to correct this by acquiring Henry, which could also alleviate some pressure from Jackson. The only lingering question is whether the 30-year-old can manage the workload in his upcoming ninth NFL season.
“Primarily, we desire for him to complete the season just like all other players. The season is lengthy with 17 games,” Monken expressed concerning Henry. “We’ll observe how it unfolds. He’s proven to be highly resilient.”
Henry is the clear-cut RB1 for a Ravens team that won’t return Gus Edwards and Dobbins in 2024. Justice Hill figures to be second in line with fifth-round rookie Rasheen Ali behind him on the depth chart to start the season. Mitchell has already been ruled out for a Week 1 return by head coach John Harbaugh, but is on schedule in his recovery from an ACL tear and is expected to return at some point during the season.
In 2024, Henry has the chance to carve his name in NFL history. With only 498 yards to go before hitting the 10,000-yard mark, he’s on the cusp of becoming the 32nd NFL player to achieve this milestone. If he surpasses this mark and scores 10 rushing touchdowns this season, he will join an elite group of nine NFL players who have over 10,000 career rushing yards and over 100 career rushing TDs. According to NFL Research, only LaDainian Tomlinson, Emmitt Smith, and Jim Brown from the Hall of Fame have accomplished this feat before turning 31. If successful, Henry will be the next to join this exclusive club.
When free agency started, it appeared that Henry moving to Baltimore was a perfect fit. So, it came as no surprise when Baltimore officially acquired the league’s leading active rusher. Henry could potentially be the key to success for the Ravens team aiming to reach new heights.
