Memphis Running Back Darrell Henderson Has Big-Play Potential The Redskins Need

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2019 NFL Draft Prospects that could contribute to the Redskins

Darrell Henderson, RB
School: Memphis | Conference: AAC
College Experience: Junior | Age: 21|
Height / Weight: 5-9 / 200 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 3rd or 4th Round
NFL Comparison: Matt Breida, San Francisco 49ers

College Statistics

Player Overview

Henderson originally hails from the state of Mississippi, where in high school he rushed for 5,801 yards (8th most in state history), 109 yards per game, 6.8 yards per carry, 68 rushing touchdowns, and 75 total touchdowns in high school. During his time in Memphis, his 1,154 rush yards as a sophomore were sixth-most for a season in Memphis history. In addition to 1,154 rush yards, his seven 100-yard rushing yards was fourth-most for a season in Memphis history, and his 1,630 all-purpose yards were fifth-most in school history. In 2018, Henderson started all ten games and led the nation averaging 9.15 yards per carry while compiling 1,446 rushing yards (2nd in FBS). Henderson rushed over 100 yards six times, and over 200 yards three times. His 1,840 all-purpose yards in 2018 led the entire FBS.

Strengths

• Vision is excellent on all levels of the field, in-traffic and open-field. Not as fast as his NFL comparison Matt Breida, but explosion is elite and the main contributor to the many long-distance touchdown runs.
• Balance is as good as his vision. Henderson’s legs never stop moving, and he has the ability to maximize his rushes by constantly being the lowest-man when facing contact. Hard to get a pure hit on Henderson.
• Henderson is an very elusive runner, elite trait, may be the best of this class in this respect.
• Although size is a concern in relation to workload, Henderson can run in-between the tackles and work outside too. He is effective in both.

Weaknesses

• Lacks power, can win against defenders his size or smaller, but has struggled against bigger defenders.
• Has struggled in pass-protection, will need development.

Let’s see his work (#8 RB)

American Athletic Conference Championship Game vs UCF (2018)

Houston at Memphis (2018)

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

Henderson is one of the most explosive running backs coming out of the draft this year. Washington needs a play-maker at nearly every skill position on the team. Although Washington had Adrian Peterson in 2018, and Derrius Guice before an ACL tear, there is no guarantee they can provide what Henderson would be able to. He is a difficult player to stop in the open field and has big play potential written all over him. It is no doubt that Peterson, Guice (possibly, did shine in pre-season debut), and Chris Thompson are quality players; however, two of the three are up there in age. A selection of Henderson would be a smart get, for on the field purposes, but also a slight acknowledgment of Peterson and Thompson’s age becoming a factor. Henderson does not need many carries to be effective int he NFL, and to whichever team it is that draft him, will have a quality running back who can play all three downs.

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