Derrick Henry remains one of the NFL's most dominant red-zone finishers, with a formula for success that has worked since his arrival in Baltimore: give him the football on first-and-goal from inside the five-yard line. That's a strategy that has yielded double-digit touchdowns in eight consecutive seasons, including 16 times each in the past two years.
Better guard play could unlock even more production, especially with the loss of Tyler Linderbaum now a memory. However, the Ravens may be stronger at guard than they were a season ago, with Vega Ioane and John Simpson bringing size, power, and physicality to the interior offensive line.
Declan Doyle, the new offensive coordinator, has been praised for his attention to detail and creativity. Players have repeatedly praised his ability to find new concepts and route combinations, which could be a game-changer for the Ravens' offense. If Doyle's offense reaches its potential, Derrick Henry could be one of the biggest beneficiaries.
The MVP award will likely belong to a quarterback, which could work in Derrick Henry's favor. As the award has increasingly become the place where voters recognize elite non-quarterback seasons, a non-quarterback hasn't earned MVP honors since Adrian Peterson in 2012. If Lamar Jackson enters the MVP race again, voters may view Offensive Player of the Year as the ideal avenue to reward Henry's contributions.
A deeper offense means the Ravens can be more selective with Henry's workload without sacrificing production. This could leave him fresher in November, December, and January, when defenses are worn down and 252-pound running backs become even less appealing to tackle.
The strongest argument for Derrick Henry's candidacy may be the simplest one: he's still Derrick Henry. He nearly won this award two years ago and remains one of the NFL's most feared runners. If Baltimore's offensive line improves and Declan Doyle's offense delivers as advertised, he could sit at the head of the class come February.
Source: Yahoo Sports