I don’t think I’ll be drafting Derrick Henry this year. He’s a super fun player to watch (was there a better run last year than when Henry stiff-armed Josh Norman to the ground?) but I fear running backs who don’t catch passes.

PPR scoring, of course. If we’re going standard scoring or TD-only, it’s a different conversation.

But when it’s the PPR (which is similar to saying, “let’s make receiving production count twice as much”) it’s scary to cast your lot with a running back who’s not really involved in that facet of the game.

Since 2000, there have been 48 running backs who’ve run for at least 1,000 yards but who haven’t caught 20 passes. Only 12 of those backs (a quarter of them) finished the season with top-10 PPR numbers.

Henry, of course, has authored a pair of top-5 seasons the last two years. But for him to do that, you’re counting on him running for 1,700-plus yards and 16-plus touchdowns. That’s tough to do. He’s another year older, and the Titans lost some key players and their offensive coordinator.

1,000-YARD RUSHERS WHO DON'T CATCH PASSES
YearPlayerAttYdsAvgTDReceivingPPRRk
2020Derrick Henry, Ten.3782,0275.41719-114-0337.13
2020Nick Chubb, Cle.1901,0675.61216-150-0209.711
2019Derrick Henry, Ten.3031,5405.11618-206-2300.65
2019Marlon Mack, Ind.2471,0914.4814-82-0181.323
2019Carlos Hyde, Hou.2451,0704.4610-42-0157.228
2018Derrick Henry, Ten.2151,0594.91215-99-0203.516
2016•LeGarrette Blount, N.E.2991,1613.9187-38-0234.99
2014Alfred Morris, Was.2651,0744.1817-155-0187.917
2014Frank Gore, S.F.2551,1064.3411-111-1162.721
2013Frank Gore, S.F.2761,1284.1916-141-0196.918
2013Alfred Morris, Was.2761,2754.679-78-0186.320
2012•Alfred Morris, Was.3351,6134.81311-77-0258.07
2012Stevan Ridley, N.E.2901,2634.4126-51-0209.415
2012Shonn Greene, NYJ2761,0633.9819-151-0188.419
2011•Michael Turner, Atl.3011,3404.51117-168-0233.88
2011Frank Gore, S.F.2821,2114.3817-114-0197.517
2011Beanie Wells, Ariz.2451,0474.31010-52-0179.923
2011Willis McGahee, Den.2491,1994.8412-51-1169.024
2011Cedric Benson, Cin.2731,0673.9615-82-0165.926
2010Michael Turner, Atl.3341,3714.11212-85-0229.614
2010BenJarvus Green-Ellis, N.E.2291,0084.41312-85-0199.319
2010LeGarrette Blount, T.B.2011,0075.065-14-0143.134
2009•Thomas Jones, NYJ3311,4024.21410-58-0240.09
2009Jonathan Stewart, Car.2211,1335.11018-139-1211.215
2009Cedric Benson, Cin.3011,2514.2617-111-0189.220
2008•Michael Turner, Atl.3761,6994.5176-41-0282.04
2008Brandon Jacobs, NYG2191,0895.0156-36-0208.518
2008Ryan Grant, G.B.3121,2033.9418-116-1179.926
2007•Adrian Peterson, Min.2381,3415.61219-268-1257.95
2007Marshawn Lynch, Buff.2801,1154.0718-184-0196.316
2007Fred Taylor, Jac.2231,2025.459-58-0165.026
2006Jamal Lewis, Balt.3141,1323.6918-115-0196.721
2006Travis Henry, Ten.2701,2114.5718-78-0190.923
2006Julius Jones, Dall.2671,0844.149-142-0155.629
2005•Shaun Alexander, Sea.3701,8805.12715-78-1378.81
2005Mike Anderson, Den.2391,0144.21218-212-1218.612
2005Willie Parker, Pitt.2551,2024.7418-218-1190.018
2004•Corey Dillon, N.E.3451,6354.71215-103-1268.88
2004•Rudi Johnson, Cin.3611,4544.01215-84-0240.810
2004Jamal Lewis, Balt.2351,0064.3710-116-0164.228
2003Stephen Davis, Car.3181,4444.5814-159-0222.315
2003Anthony Thomas, Chi.2441,0244.269-36-0151.031
2001•Antowain Smith, N.E.2871,1574.01219-192-1231.910
2001Jerome Bettis, Pitt.2251,0724.848-48-0149.626
2001Emmitt Smith, Dall.2611,0213.9317-116-0148.727
2000Corey Dillon, Cin.3151,4354.6718-158-0219.320
2000Jerome Bettis, Pitt.3551,3413.8813-97-0204.822
2000Emmitt Smith, Dall.2941,2034.1911-79-0193.225

—Ian Allan