4 Running Backs the Titans Should Target if They Don't Re-Sign Derrick Henry

Derrick Henry replacements will be a priority for the Titans if they let him hit free agency.
Derrick Henry replacements will be a priority for the Titans if they let him hit free agency. / Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
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The Tennessee Titans are riding high after their terrific 2019-2020 season. Ryan Tannehill took over the reins of the offense and led the Titans on a shocking playoff run, knocking off the defending champion New England Patriots and top-seeded Baltimore Ravens before losing to the eventual champs in the Kansas City Chiefs.

They're faced with a tough offseason ahead, though, as both Tannehill and superstar running back Derrick Henry are set to become free agents. Signing both could prove difficult, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Tennessee replacing at least one of the two this offseason.

If Tannehill inks a new deal, Henry could very well be gone. With that in mind, here are four running backs the Titans should target to replace Henry if they don't re-sign him.

1. Carlos Hyde

Carlos Hyde celebrates a play against the Chiefs.
Carlos Hyde celebrates a play against the Chiefs. / David Eulitt/Getty Images

Carlos Hyde looked to be at risk of fading into obscurity when the Kansas City Chiefs got rid of him before the season, but he landed on his feet in Houston, rushing for a career-high 1,070 yards on 245 carries. He doesn't offer much as a receiver, with fewer than 15 receptions in four of his six NFL seasons, but with Dion Lewis still around, the Titans don't necessarily need a back with receiving upside to replace Henry.

2. Jordan Howard

Jordan Howard on the sideline against the Titans.
Jordan Howard on the sideline against the Titans. / Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Similar to Hyde, Howard caught just 10 passes in 2019. The Philadelphia Eagles also only gave him 119 carries as he struggled with injuries and lost work to second-round pick Miles Sanders, but don't let that overshadow what he did in his first three NFL seasons. From 2016 to 2018, Howard recorded the third-most carries (778) and third-most rushing yards (3,370) in the NFL. Howard is a proven workhorse who could shoulder significant volume on early downs.

3. DeAndre Washington

DeAndre Washington in a game against the Jets.
DeAndre Washington in a game against the Jets. / Al Pereira/Getty Images

If the Titans are looking to really save money on a long-shot, and potentially add some more competition in the later rounds of the draft, DeAndre Washington is worth consideration. Washington never got a feature role in the Oakland Raiders offense, but across his four NFL seasons he turned 370 touches into 1,735 yards from scrimmage, contributing both on the ground (1,122 yards) and through the air (613 yards). Washington will still be just 27 years old when the season starts, and he would be a low-risk signing with some nice upside if he can continue to develop in an expanded role in Tennessee.

4. Lamar Miller

Lamar Miller on the sideline against the Jets.
Lamar Miller on the sideline against the Jets. / Steven Ryan/Getty Images

A much riskier proposition, signing Lamar Miller would mean betting on a 29-year-old back returning from a torn ACL. That could make Miller available on the cheap, though, and he has proven himself to have some serious upside. A true workhorse, Miller had at least 190 carries and 35 targets in each of his last five healthy seasons. His efficiency fell off a bit when he joined the Texans in 2016, but he did finish above his career average with 4.6 yards per carry in 2018. Miller's health is a big question mark, but rolling the dice could get the Titans some nice upside at a low price.


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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 their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.