3 Upcoming Free Agent Running Backs the Titans Could Target if They Don't Extend Derrick Henry

With Wednesday's deadline for contract extensions for franchise-tagged players quickly approaching, it looks like Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans won't be getting a long-term deal worked out.

Of course, it would hurt for Titans fans if they lost their workhorse rusher, who led the NFL with 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2019, but it's not all bad. If there's ever an offseason to lose your top rusher, it's next year's.

Not only is the incoming rookie RB class looking incredible, but a ton of high-profile backs are set to become free agents. These three would be perfect targets for the Titans.

1. Joe Mixon

Joe Mixon could be a great free agent target for the Titans next offseason. / Michael Hickey/Getty Images

To replace Henry with a single player, the Titans would need to sign a back that can shoulder a massive workload. Joe Mixon looks like he fits the bill, having finished tied for fifth in the NFL with 278 rush attempts in the 2019 season. That workload didn't seem to slow him down at all either — his three highest single-game rushing totals (136, 146 and 162 yards) came in Weeks 14, 15 and 17.

2. Leonard Fournette

The Titans could roll the dice on Leonard Fournette when he becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason. / Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

The Titans have had a front-row seat in watching Leonard Fournette disappoint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The offense around him hasn't exactly done Fournette any favors though, and moving to a unit with a significantly better supporting cast could go a long way to reviving his career. The Jags are projected for another terrible season (sitting as +250 favorites to finish with the worst record in the NFL on FanDuel Sportsbook), and with another unimpressive season, Fournette's asking price could make him a free-agent bargain.

3. James Conner

James Conner could be a free agent target for the Tennessee Titans next offseason. / Leon Bennett/Getty Images

After they drafted another running back, it doesn't look like the Pittsburgh Steelers plan on bringing James Conner back. He's not nearly the rusher that Henry is, but his versatility as a receiver could add a new element to the Titans offense. Conner has racked up 341 carries and 89 receptions over the last two seasons, and while his 4.4 yards per carry aren't anything special, he's averaged a solid 8.4 yards per reception. Henry has never caught more than 18 passes in a season, and Conner could give Ryan Tannehill another weapon in the passing game if the Titans are looking to take a more pass-heavy approach in the future.

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Jason Schandl is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Jason Schandl also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username Jaymun. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.