Darrell

Henderson Jr.

Tampa Bay got back picks 94 and 99 in return. Henderson (5’8/208) turned pro as a true junior after logging a prolific 431/3,545/36 (8.2 YPC) career rushing line and 63/758/8 (12.0 YPR) as a receiver while doubling as the Tigers’ kickoff returner in all three seasons. 55 of Henderson’s 214 junior-year carries (26%) went for ten yards or more, and PFF College credited him with a nation-best 6.2 yards after contact per rushing attempt. Henderson’s 8.2 yards-per-carry average in 2018 tied for the NCAA’s highest mark since 1956. A 4.49 speedster with first-step pop, exceptional balance, and plus receiving skills, Henderson is good enough to take some of the workload off Todd Gurley’s balky knee and fill in if Gurley goes down.

The Bears don’t have a selection in the first or second round because of the trades for Khalil Mack and Anthony Miller. Chicago does have Tarik Cohen at the tailback position, but they traded Jordan Howard to the Eagles, and Cohen isn’t big enough to handle every-down duties. Henderson isn’t exactly built like Marshawn Lynch, but the 5-foot-8, 200-pound tailback is one of the most exciting runners in this draft, and he could form a very, very fun duo with Cohen. We’re here for this.

This per NFL.com senior analyst Gil Brandt. Day 2 figures to be the sweet spot for both Henderson and Williams barring a surprise selection near the end of Day 1. Williams, of course, played his college ball in Nashville, at Vanderbilt.

This isn’t a bold take at all, but it’s confirmation that Henderson is receiving Day 2 buzz from NFL teams. While we aren’t sure if he’s actually being looked at as a Day 1 pick like NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said, we confident that Henderson is one of the more intriguing Day 2 prospects because of his on-field production and quality athleticism. On top of averaging 8.9 yards per carry in back-to-back seasons, Henderson quietly was a good pass-catcher out of the backfield and may mold into more of a James White role in the NFL like NFL Film’s Greg Cosell projects.

Henderson created 6.11 yards in those runs, and that ranks only behind Dalvin Cook’s 7.23 yards in 2016 for Florida State and Joe Mixon’s 6.75 yards the same year for Oklahoma. Calling Henderson a big-play threat is an understatement, and stats like this illustrate that fact. The lack of ideal size (5'8/208) is going to hurt the stock, but someone is going to take a chance on Henderson on Day 2, and with good reason.

Henderson meets all of Levitan’s athletic thresholds, but he was one inch shorter than the height minimum of 5-foot-9. After tearing up college football on the ground to the tune of 8.9 yards per carry, Henderson is directly in the Day 2 mix, but the excitement for fantasy football purposes is his pass-catching potential. NFL Film’s Greg Cosell compared Henderson to James White, and Henderson quietly caught at least 19 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns in all three of his collegiate seasons. If he lands in the right spot, Henderson has a chance to be worthy of roster spots in fantasy leagues.

Henderson (5'8/208) earlier met with the Rams, Giants, Buccaneers and Ravens around his pro day. The Texans have also hosted him for a predraft visit. The electric open-field back has received little buzz for Round 1 to this juncture, but seems a safe bet to come off the board by the end of Day 2. Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller compares Henderson to 49ers RB Jerick McKinnon, while Greg Cossell of NFL FIlms has comped him to Patriots RB James White.

Henderson was one of the true big-play stars of college football in his time at Memphis, and the 5-foot-8, 208-pound tailback has his share of supporters among analysts. “Explosive, fast runner with pull-away speed and the production to match,” Miller writes. “The best long-run back in the 2019 class.” He does have some concerns, however, citing that Henderson is not an accomplished runner between the tackles, and that he relies more on open-field moves over his footwork. “Henderson’s highlight tape looks like a Round 1 talent,” he writes, “but his week-to-week tape is more concerning as it highlights interior running and the inability to beat pro-level defenders in space.” Miller projects the Memphis tailback to go in the third round in April.

Per Pauline, Henderson “looked solid in ball-carrier drills” during his pro day position work and additionally caught the ball well. The 5-foot-8, 208-pounder will be in play for a Day 2 selection next month and won’t be sitting around for too long on Day 3 should he slide into the back half of proceedings. Indeed, Pauline relays that some evaluators even believe that Henderson has a chance to go as high as Round 2.

Henderson (5'8/208) was running behind PFF’s third-ranked offensive line as well, so those two notes partially explain Henderson’s back to back seasons with 8.9 yards per carry. However, even with that in mind, Barrett said Henderson is “probably one of the five best runners in the class and also has underrated upside as a receiver.” Henderson was compared to James White by NFL Film’s Greg Cosell, and he has 50-catch upside if he lands in the right offense. Expect Henderson to be selected near the Day 2/3 turn.