As the pool of available 1,000-yard running backs swelled, Travis Henry was the last one in.
The Broncos then made him one of the first ones out.
Based on last season’s rushing yards, Henry was the best of the eight starting running backs who switched teams in March. He didn’t become available until he was cut by his former team, the Tennessee Titans, on March 3, a day after the trading and free-agent period opened, and two days after the Broncos had dealt their previous starting back, Tatum Bell, to Detroit.
By March 5, Henry was a Bronco with a five-year contract that featured a $12 million guarantee.
Once Henry’s business was completed, his colleagues Thomas Jones, Jamal Lewis, Willis McGahee, Reuben Droughns and Dominic Rhodes followed him on the NFL’s running back carousel.
“I thought it was very interesting to have that many running backs trading teams,” Henry said. “I don’t know if that’s the first time that ever happened, but I was surprised myself. We were all pretty good running backs. I was like, ‘What do they want?”‘
In the Broncos’ case, they wanted someone better than Bell as their lead back. They already liked their No. 2 back, Mike Bell, and identified Henry as the best value among the eight available starting running backs.
“He’s going to be able to play in that weather, too,” said Kansas City coach Herm Edwards, who coached the Jets at a time when Henry had consecutive 1,350-plus seasons in Buffalo. “He’s played outside in bad elements.”
Others argued Jones or McGahee were better, but Broncos coach Mike Shanahan explained those two could have been acquired only by surrendering a high-round draft pick.
Henry was not only a cash acquisition, his 1,211 yards in only 14 games last year were the most among the eight rotating backs.
“Hopefully, it’s a blessing in disguise for all of us running backs,” Henry said. “At least somebody will always want you.”
