As sports talk show hosts love to debate how the New England Patriots should approach the upcoming 2021 National Football League (NFL) Draft with respect to the quarterback position or whether LeBron James holds the title of “Greatest of All Time” against Michael Jordan, rarely has the question arisen about which NFL player is better—former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch or current Tennessee Titans feature back Derrick Henry. While neither can compare to Hall of Fame running backs Jim Brown or Emmitt Smith, the question should be raised as both have been considered among the best at their position during their respective prime playing years.
Playing for Coach Nick Saban at the University of Alabama from 2013 until 2015, Derrick Henry’s best year came during his junior season when he amassed two thousand rushing yards and subsequently won the Heisman Trophy, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football, according to their website. Alabama also won the National Championship game that year, beating Clemson 45-40. Nevertheless, a decade earlier in Oakland California, Marshawn Lynch rushed for more than 3.2 thousand yards from 2004 until 2006 for the California Golden Bears Football program. Today, Lynch continues to hold the Cal school record for most 100-yard rushing games with 17. In college and at the professional level, both were, and continue to be recognized for their quick elusiveness and abilities to break and escape tackles on the field. Both players also chose to forgo their senior seasons in college and declared for the NFL draft. In 2007, Marshawn Lynch was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 12th overall pick; in 2016 the Tennessee Titans selected Derrick Henry with the 45th pick.
As a rookie, Lynch was the Bills starting back. In his first two seasons, he rushed for 1,115 and 1,036 yards respectively. Nearly a decade later in the AFC South however, Derrick Henry was viewed as a backup running back to veteran star DeMarco Murray under a Mike Mularkey led offense. Nevertheless, it was not until Lynch was traded to the Seattle Seahawks during the 2010 season and Henry was given the opportunity to start for the 2018 season that both players’ careers took off!
Starting in his first career playoff game in Seattle, Lynch had a 67-yard touchdown run in which he broke nine tackles and threw a stiff arm against the New Orleans Saints. This run would become locally known as the “Beast Quake” and caused heads to turn around the league about the power and grit that Lynch offered. Moreover, in week 14 of the 2018 season, Henry had a 99-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars, fending off three defenders. During his 13-year career with the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, and formerly-known as the Oakland Raiders, Marshawn Lynch rushed for 10,413 yards, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. He also averaged 7.7 yards per reception. During his arguably best season in 2012, Lynch had 1,590 rushing yards with 11 touchdowns off 315 rushing attempts. Comparably, after his fifth season, Henry thus far has rushed for 5,860 yards, including 55 touchdowns. His best season arguably came last year when he rushed for 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging six yards per reception. In his career, Lynch rushed an average of 4.2 yards per carry while Henry in the last five seasons has rushed for 5 yards, on average.
While some will be quick to say that Derrick Henry is automatically the better running back, context is always crucial. Coming into Buffalo, Lynch was asked to compete with established veteran backs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller. He also faced Rex Ryan’s New York Jets and Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots defenses four times a year. After his in-season trade to Seattle, Lynch also faced competition in the Seattle offense from receivers Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin and Tyler Lockett for opportunities. In Nashville, Derrick Henry received handoffs from former Quarterback Marcus Mariota and current starter Ryan Tannehill. He also competed against DeMarco Murray during his first two seasons and currently competes for ball opportunities against receivers and tight ends A.J. Brown, Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith.
Finally, one must also account for the defenses that both running backs faced during their careers. While competing against the Jets and Patriots stout defensive lines, Lynch also competed against the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and then-St. Louis Rams—all with prolific defenses in the NFC West. Between 2011 and 2013, the San Francisco 49ers defense was praised for their quick, focused, ability to tackle and create turnovers. Alongside linebacker Patrick Willis, NaVarro Bowman, Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks were a known threat across the league. In 2012, the 49ers rushing defense ranked fourth in the NFL, allowing 3.7 yards per attempt. Additionally, the Rams rushing defense ranked #15, allowing 4.3 rushing yards per attempt. For the majority of the last five seasons, the AFC South, consisting of the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans have had poor defenses. Until last season, the Colts defense was known to be their biggest weakness and Houston’s inability to cause pressure and create turnovers (with the exception of JJ Watt) has been an issue in trying to win games. Last season, the Texans ranked last in rushing defense, allowing an average of 160 rushing yards per game off 5.2 yards per carry. Additionally, the Jaguars ranked 30th as they allowed 4.3 rushing yards per carry.
While some fans and analysts will continue to remain faithful, one must recognize that these players’ statistics are closer than previously thought. While Marshawn Lynch did not play to the same level at the end of his career with the Raiders and Seahawks organizations, his consistent, tough, rugged style of playing should be carefully evaluated. I am not here to say that one player is better than the other (that is your prerogative), however, I am here to present you with the qualitative data/information necessary to make a mature decision.
