The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Henry is latest running back on the move
Running backs continued to make strides in free agency Tuesday with four-time Pro Bowler Derrick Henry agreeing to a two-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens, a person with knowledge of the contract told The Associated Press. Henry’s deal is worth up to $20 million and includes $9 million guaranteed.
The two-time NFL rushing champ joins a Baltimore team that annually produces one of the league’s leading ground games.
Henry’s jump from the Tennessee Titans, where he spent his first eight seasons, was among the biggest moves on the eve of the league’s new year, which officially begins at 1 p.m. PDT today.
That’s when free agents can sign contracts they’ve agreed to over the NFL’S two-day legal tampering period.
Running backs have struggled to earn big money in recent years — to the point where Henry organized a group chat among top players at the position last summer. This year’s free agent class included Henry, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard, all of whom have found new homes during Monday’s free agency frenzy.
Barkley, Jacobs and Pollard were the three running backs franchise tagged a year ago at $10.1 million and none signed long-term deals with their teams by the July deadline. All three became free agents this year when their teams declined to franchise tag them again, this time at $12 million.
Henry turned 30 in January. The four-time Pro Bowler led the NFL in 2023 with 280 rushing attempts and ranked second to Christian Mccaffrey with 1,167 yards rushing.
Henry leaves Tennessee ranked second in franchisee history with 9,502 rushing yards, trailing only Eddie George (10,009).
Rams bring back Williams
The Rams are reuniting with a member of their Super Bowl LVI
team, agreeing to terms with cornerback Darious Williams on a threeyear contract, a source confirmed. The deal is worth $22.5 million, but can go up to $30 million, per NFL Network.
A former undrafted free agent out of Alabama-birmingham, Williams played with the Rams from 20182021. He recorded eight tackles in the Rams’ Super Bowl win following that final season.
Williams, 30, signed with the Jaguars in the ensuing offseason and spent the last two years in his hometown of Jacksonville before being released this month. He recorded 53 tackles, a career-high 19 passes defended and career-high-matching four interceptions in 2023.
Williams has largely played outside corner throughout his career, and though he has the versatility to play in multiple schemes, he is known for his zone coverage. He was topsix in the NFL in coverage grades in 2023 according to Pro Football Focus, allowing receptions on 51 of 86 targets, forcing incompletions on 17% of those targets. — Adam Grosbard
Player movement highlights
While Monday’s frenzy of player movement dialed back some on Tuesday,
there was plenty of news. Because free agents aren’t allowed to sign with new teams until today, most of the reporting of these deals by The Associated Press is sourced using individuals not authorized to speak on the record because deals aren’t finalized. That is the case for the following:
• Minnesota added former Green Bay running back Aaron Jones and 2018 third overall draft pick Sam Darnold as a temporary replacement at quarterback for Kirk Cousins, whose departure to Atlanta was the biggest move of free agency.
• Houston is acquiring running back Joe Mixon from Cincinnati to replace Devin Singletary, who has agreed to a deal with the New York Giants. Mixon led the Bengals last season with 1,034 yards rushing and nine TDS. Cincinnati planned to release him after agreeing with running back Zack Moss.
• Pittsburgh found a running mate for outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, luring second-team All-pro inside linebacker Patrick Queen away from rival Baltimore on a three-year deal worth $41 million.
• Cleveland agreed to a one-year deal with Jameis Winston to back up Deshaun Watson that’s worth up to $8.7 million.
• Outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett agreed to a one-year, $9 million deal with Miami after five seasons in Tampa Bay.
• Kansas City and Irv Smith Jr. agreed on a one-year deal, giving quarterback Patrick Mahomes a veteran tight end behind Travis Kelce.
• Washington is bringing in veteran backup QB Marcus Mariota, which may be foreshadowing their plans for the NFL draft and signaling the direction they’re headed for the future of the position.
• Indianapolis agreed to re-sign cornerback Kenny Moore II on a three-year deal worth $30 million.
• Atlanta and former Chicago receiver Darnell Mooney agreed on a three-year, $39 million contract.