This offseason, the Houston Texans are searching for a running back. Devin Singletary is a free agent at the moment, and it’s unclear if the team would even want him back. Especially after Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans quit playing games and started Singletary as his lead running back, he had a good season.
However, Singletary’s contract with the team is no longer in effect, and the Texans are searching for a new feature back. Dameon Pierce is unlikely to be it because he had such a poor 2024 that, should the organization need roster space, he will probably be released. Thus, a new starter might be required, particularly if the Texans want to contend for the postseason once more.
The Texans are currently attaching big names to the running back position. The NFL’s Derrick Henry and your Saqoun Barkely. Given his versatility, youth, and ability to create plays with the ball in his hands, Barkley appears to be the best choice moving ahead. Nevertheless, assuming he remains at the same level, Henry has a lot to contribute. Just by virtue of his running style, he is bulkier, more difficult to knock down, and less prone to collapse..
Henry is just a hound moving up the middle of the defense, defying lesser defenders to take him down, while Barkley is more of a big-play, get to the edge and go type of runner. Power does not fade; speed does. It diminishes quickly. Henry has never been a quick runner since he has always been able to go past lesser defenders and arm tackles with the help of his stature and muscle. That endures, if he can maintain his health.
He still managed to get over 1,000 yards this season while playing behind a subpar offensive line for the Tennessee Titans. With an offense like the Texans, who will spread defenses out and let Henry take on numerous smaller defensive backs in a variety of isos, he can still have a big impact at the age of thirty.
Though theoretically an athlete who ages gracefully, he’s been worked hard by the Titans, so it’s possible that his body deteriorates even more at this point. Still, he’s a compelling alternative. Henry has truly only missed one season due to injury, but it won’t be long until it happens again. Perhaps not this season, but it might be in the near future.
Given the significance of this offseason for the Texans’ future, the team would be better served by selecting a younger back rather than someone like Henry. He will be requesting it, at the very least, for the suggested price. Henry should not be ruled out; rather, the team shouldn’t look on him as one of their first choices.
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