Derrick Henry was one of the Baltimore Ravens' biggest additions this offseason. Literally.
The Ravens signed the 30-year-old Henry to a two-year, $16 million contract, giving their offense the type of dominant rusher they've been missing.
Although Henry has been in the NFL for eight years and is well-known around the league, people are still blown away when they see the 6-foot-3, 247-lb running back in person.
Nearly every member of the Ravens has had the same reaction to seeing Henry.
"He's a freak," outside linebacker Odafe Oweh told reporters on Monday. "Physical specimen. He looks like he could play defensive end, for real. I'm excited to see what he brings to the team. I'm just happy he's on our side."
Wide receiver Zay Flowers touched on Henry's size while saying that the addition of Henry will make his life easier on offense.
"[Have] you seen him before?" Flowers asked reporters. "Have you seen him in person? You've got to stop that first, before you worry about somebody of my stature."
The 5-foot-9 Flowers previously told reporters in May that he let out a frightened scream when he saw Henry running at him during a drill.
"He ran back up to me, he was like, 'I heard you scream, Oh!'" Flowers recounted to reporters. "I was like, 'Yes. I have to get out of the way.' So, it’s way different seeing him in person."
Newly signed safety Eddie Jackson told reporters on Monday that he's known Henry dating back to college football, where they were teammates at Alabama. Even back then, his size was astoundingg.
"When 'D-Hen' first walked onto the field when I saw him at Alabama, I couldn’t believe how big he was," Jackson said, adding: "You see him in person, it's like he's a created player off a game."
A photo of Henry in college next to Alabama alum Mark Ingram went viral, as it showcased Henry's massive frame.
Before Alabama won its 4th title in 7 years, Derrick Henry made Mark Ingram look like a dwarf. pic.twitter.com/ohmm0xfaLi
— Stadium (@Stadium) January 12, 2016
Ravens running backs coach Willie Taggart said he was amazed the first time he saw Henry take practice reps.
"He got here, and [I saw] the big man move his feet, and I’m like, 'Woah,'" Taggart told reporters in June. "It's really impressive for a guy that size to move the way he does."
Henry has dedicated his life to keeping his body in peak shape. As The Athletic's Dan Pompei recently reported, Henry spends $240,000 a year on body maintenance, from a personal chef to advanced therapy routines. In addition to a strict diet that excludes fried foods, dairy, and gluten, Henry lifts crazy amounts of weights, like 80 lb dumbbell curls.
As a result, Henry's made a career of embarrassing defenders who try to tackle him. Henry's stiff arms are some of the most famous highlights in recent league history.
Ravens safety Marcus Williams joined the chorus in June, saying he's glad he no longer has to tackle Henry.
"I've had to tackle [Henry] before and it is what it is from that standpoint," Williams said. "But these other safeties that gotta go up against them in the division, they're going to have a tough time."
