Kansas City Chiefs Scouting Report: Derrick Henry

Will the Kansas City Chiefs look to draft a running back like Derrick Henry in the first round fo the 2016 NFL Draft?

As difficult as it is to talk about, the Kansas City Chiefs are going to have to part ways with Jamaal Charles eventually. How confident are the Chiefs that Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware will be long-term candidates to take over for Charles when the time comes.

Derrick Henry has shown that he has a lot in the tank at all times in the game, which will be crucial late in the season as the games and stage become bigger. His power has shown that he can get to the second and third levels of the defense.

Henry can make good cuts and reads, to be able to continue upfield. He would be an asset in the short yardage situations, and a constant threat in the backfield.

According to NFL.com, Henry has not shown the shiftiness that has been seen in a lot of running backs coming into the league. He also has not shown very good hands; this would make him a one-dimensional threat. He would be an effective runner, but recently a running back is expected to catch the ball out of the backfield as well.

He would be an effective runner, but recently a running back is expected to catch the ball out of the backfield as well.

NFL.com breaks down Henry in this scouting report:

"Strengths: One of the biggest running backs you will ever see. Can be a violent runner without even trying. Pummels tacklers with forward lean and dynamite behind his pads. Gives run-support cornerbacks bad dreams. Rare top-end speed for a runner his size.Weaknesses: With almost 400 touches this year, scouts are concerned about his workload. Averaged almost 32 carries against SEC competition including 90 carries over his final two regular season games. Tall, long-strider who takes time to build up his speed. Average foot quickness can lead to tackles for losses if he gets too cute in the backfield."

Derrick Henry is a 6′-2” 247 pound running back, which would be one of the bigger backs in the league like LeGarrette Blount of the Patriots. CBS Sports thinks Henry is a similar back to Blount and Brandon Jacobs.

"Henry compares favorably to a blended version of Blount and Brandon Jacobs, two oversized, but light-footed running backs who carved out productive niches as pros"

In the 2015 season, Henry ran for 2,128 yards and 28 touchdowns as the Tide won the National Championship.

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In 2016, Combine Henry was the top performer in the vertical where he jumped 37 inches as well as a 130-inch broad jump.

The Chiefs could benefit from having Derrick Henry, especially if he could learn behind one of the better backs in the league Jamaal Charles. It may be a deterrent for John Dorsey and the Chiefs if he is a one-dimensional running back.

A lot of Kansas City’s offense depends on being able to do multiple things with the running back to open up other parts of the field for other playmakers.

Derrick Henry is going to be a hot topic all the way up to the draft, and rightfully so he is one of the better backs that will be in the draft.

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He is also one of the biggest. What do you think? Will the Kansas City Chiefs take a chance with the first round pick if Derrick Henry falls to the 28th pick?

It will be interesting to see if the KC Chiefs are comfortable with West and Ware as back-ups and maybe, eventual replacements for the star Charles.

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