Derrick Henry is one-dimensional, but it probably won't matter

There's a video being passed around NFL circles this week. It features rookie running back Derrick Henry stumbling through a footwork drill in one of his first practices with the Tennessee Titans:

The implication communicated by many sharing the video is that Henry's poor footwork will hold back the reigning Heisman Trophy winner from success in the NFL - and could even make him a bust.

That's ridiculous.

Here's the thing: we've known all along that light feet aren't Henry's strong suit. In the former Alabama runner's workout for ESPN's "Sports Science" before the draft, Henry looked slow and off-balance during agility drills.

Skip to the 1:30 mark to see for yourself:

No one panicked about Henry when that video was posted.

Now skip to the 2:00 mark in the "Sports Science" video, and watch as Henry demolishes nearly 1,500 pounds of heavy bags in a time that's a wide margin better than any running back ESPN has ever tested. That's why he's an elite prospect despite his heavy feet.

It's not fair to expect Henry to run like other running backs in the NFL, because he's nothing like other running backs. He's bigger than most linebackers, let alone most tailbacks, and ridiculously fast for someone his size. When Henry gets to top speed, he's as hard to bring down as any player we've ever seen.

Is he one-dimensional? Sure, but that dimension is really, really good.

Perhaps Henry's sub-par lateral agility would be an issue if he were drafted to a team where lateral cuts are crucial in the running game, but he wasn't. His poor footwork won't hold him back because the Titans won't be asking him to run laterally.

It's laughable to suggest the Titans didn't consider Henry's strengths and weaknesses before investing a second-round pick in him. They know he's not a shifty back, but they also believe he can be a difference-maker as a north-south runner in a power-running scheme complete with three recent first-round picks on the offensive line.

Perhaps Henry will bust. He wouldn't be the first athletic specimen to fall short in the NFL. But if he does ultimately bust, it will be because the Titans failed to maximize his strengths, not because of a specific weakness.