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Factoid

Henry looks to keep on rolling

Averaged career-high 5.9 yards per carry as a 30-year-old

The Ravens are staying the course with Derrick Henry. He’s 31, but they’ve given him a two-year contract extension that includes $25 million guaranteed. So much for the theory that running backs hit the wall at 30.

Henry, of course, doesn’t seem to be made out of the same material as other running backs. He ran for 1,921 yards last year while averaging a career-high 5.9 yards per carry – a half yard more than his previous best.

And he’s helped out by opponents having to also be concerned about Lamar Jackson (as both a runner and a thrower). There’s not stacking of the box against Henry.

Nonetheless, the big-picture numbers are pretty dire. Since the league moved to 32 teams, only six running backs who were at least 31 years old have finished with top-10 numbers (using PPR scoring). None of those guys ranked higher than 5th.

And only 11 others have even finished with top-20 numbers.

It’s a tough position.

OLD RUNNING BACKS WITH TOP-20 NUMBERS
YearPlayerAgeGRunRecTotTDPPRRk
2004Curtis Martin, NYJ31161697245194214319.25
2006Tiki Barber, NYG3116166246521275300.76
2023Raheem Mostert, Mia.31151012175118721269.75
2009Ricky Williams, Mia.32161121264138513253.56
2009Thomas Jones, NYJ3116140258146014240.09
2015DeAngelo Williams, Pitt.3216907367127411235.45
2013Fred Jackson, Buff.3216890387127710234.711
2002Garrison Hearst, S.F.311697231712899232.920
2005Mike Anderson, Den.32151014212122613218.612
2004Priest Holmes, K.C.318892187107915216.918
2016Frank Gore, Ind.3316102527713028216.212
2010LaDainian Tomlinson, NYJ311591436812826216.215
2015Frank Gore, Ind.321696726712347199.414
2018Adrian Peterson, Was.3316104220812508193.019
2005Corey Dillon, N.E.311273318191413191.417
2014Fred Jackson, Buff.331452550110263188.616
2017Frank Gore, Ind.341696124512064173.620
2025Derrick Henry, Balt.31???????

—Ian Allan

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