What am I missing with Derrick Henry?

PIGDivot

http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolphins/post/_/id/20406/rb-derrick-henry-cb-kendall-fuller-among-intriguing-second-round-options-for-dolphins

The guy is a tree trunk for a running back, and nearly impossible to one on one tackle, yet these "experts" are talking about him as a 2nd round pick? He single handedly led Alabama to a National title, and his runs simply wore down defenses to the point where by the 4th quarter they simply were too tired to try and tackle him.

Am I missing something really big here, because if I am on the clock, and have this guy available, I take him with my first pick. He's a game changer who will be an effective tool in wearing down NFL linebackers and simply run over smaller secondary players who won't be able to tackle him at all.

So enlighten me, those that are in the know.

Hoss7504

All I can think is that the last few Alabama running backs picked haven't had the greatest success in the league, even the Heisman winner(s). Henry is an absolute monster though.

Spuzz

NFL is a passing league now and true running backs (not all purpose) have a lot less impact on the game now, as well as a short lifespan and are a dime a dozen as well.
Not worth a first round pick

PIGDivot

Spuzz Not worth a first round pick

From the article they are talking about Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott going in the Top 20 of the draft. Maybe I just am a clueless knob (not really debatable honestly) but as much as I saw of Derrick Henry (it's impossible to live in the Southeast and NOT have Alabama's every game televised in your local market) it's been a long time since I've seen a guy this big and powerful move with the football the way he does. Nick Satan literally built his offense around this guy and won a national championship doing that. True, he runs a 4.59 forty, which is kinda slow for a RB, but you try and tackle him. He's beyond a beast.

mulegolf

Spuzz
Yes, what Spuzz said.

Spuzz

PIGDivot
True, he runs a 4.59 forty, which is kinda slow for a RB, but you try and tackle him. He's beyond a beast.

Goal line and short yardage specialist is his destiny, imo.
Therefore, not a first rounder.

Beast in college maybe, but he's no Hershel Walker or Bo Jackson.

bigshank

They also say he runs too tall and will have to get low or will get crushed in the nfl. I dunno it seemed to work out pretty good for Dickerson. We will see i wish the Seahawks would grab him kinda but their best bet with 9 picks is about 8 linemen and hope at least 2 show potential.

Umfaan

Also the scouts say Henry has no lateral movement to avoid the first tackle. Not good when facing NFL caliber linebackers and D-lines.

DC300

Not a lot of quickness, worked behind a great line that let him get a head of steam before running into people. He's not as good of a back as others that have come from the system at Bama. Personally, I wouldn't look at him until the 4th, but I said the same thing about last year's Alabama bust at RB that was taken in the early second, that managed to find Chris Ivory being signed to replace him already.

brsmith

There is no way he is going to get the better of NFL LBs or DE on a regular basis. All of those guys sideline to sideline can run down anybody. Henry isn't Earl Campbell and look how short of a career he had and today he can't walk without a cane. The ideal back is a Matt Forte type. A guy with 4.4 speed who can block, receive and is elusive. Forte at 30 can still easily make the first guy miss.

mulegolf

People are even saying that Adrian Peterson is no longer worth big bucks because of the change in the focus of NFL offenses to the passing game. I'm pretty sure that he is quite a bit faster than Henry and there aren't many who would want to be in his way once he gets past the line of scrimmage either. As for comparing Henry running tall like Dickerson? Dickerson would probably still leave him in the dust in the 40 or over a hundred yards and how old is Dickerson now? Please don't take this as a total slam on Henry. I think he's a very good running back. It's not his fault that he's arriving to the NFL just when the offensive style is changing away from his strongest points.