Exclusive: Derrick Henry Crowns Bijan Robinson as the NFL's Best Running Back

Derrick Henry knows who he would take as the best running back in the NFL.

The 32-year-old Henry knows a thing or two about being a great running back. As arguably the best running back of this current generation, Henry is one of nine players to rush over 2,000 yards in a single season. He's a former Offensive Player of the Year, a five-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro selection.

He also happens to be the NFL's active leader in carries and rushing yards by a large margin.

Derrick Henry Names Bijan Robinson As Best Running Back In NFL

When asked who is the best running back in the NFL that's not him, Henry named a number of great running backs. However, he ultimately named the Atlanta Falcons' Bijan Robinson as the best running back in the league.

"It's kind of hard man, because two years back, they were trying to diminish the position, but we took that to account, and we came back strong," Henry told SportsBoom.us. 

"Kudos to all my fellow backs. That's a hard one, man. I could go Bijan Robinson, who is going crazy, Mr. Do-it-all Christian (McCaffrey). James Cook has been balling out of his mind. Those are three. Those are three that come to mind, along with Jahmyr Gibbs. For the best back, I'll probably go with Bijan Robinson."

Robinson is coming off of his best year with 1,478 yards and 5.1 yards per carry. Through three years in the league, the 23-year-old back has already been named a Pro Bowler twice and is now a two-time All-Pro selection, garnering his first All-Pro selection this season.

Meanwhile, Henry himself is still going strong at the age of 32 and coming off of his 10th season in the league. During the 2025 season, Henry rank for 5.2 yards per carry with 16 touchdowns, the second-highest total in a single season in his career.

Derrick Henry Names His Favourite NFL Player Of All Time

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound is truly one of a kind as there's not a single back in the NFL as big as him and excelling at the level that he's been at for so many years. When asked who were backs that he looked up to while growing up, Henry names a number of greats, including Eric Dickerson and Earl Campbell.

However, he said his favorite player of all time is LaDainian Tomlinson, who was a smaller back at 5-foot-10 and 215 pounds. Tomlinson won the NFL MVP award in 2006 after setting the single season touchdown record with 31 touchdowns.

"My favorite player all time was definitely LaDainian Tomlinson," said Henry. 

"Love LT, the dark visor, just the whole swag, his game. The year he scored 31 touchdowns I was L.T. all day. As I got older, I kind of realized I'm not built like L.T. Probably can't play the same way, but I still get to admire his game."

Henry also gives a quick shout-out to Tennessee Titans greats, his former team, Eddie George and Chris Johnson.

"There's so many backs that I can name that have had an influence on me that I appreciate," said Henry. 

"Every time I talk to him or get to any game, I always got to talk to Eddie George whenever I was in Tennessee, he was like a big brother to me. Mark Ingram, that's my big bro. Shaun Alexander, my big bro. Gotta chop it up with Chris Johnson, who was also a Titans legend. And Frank Gore it's always good to talk to him, who's a great kind of big brother to me as well. So many guys like I mentioned. Adrian Peterson, love him."