Redskins Rookie Enemies: Willie Henry

Willie Henry, DT

School: Michigan | Conference: BIG-10

College Experience: Junior | Age: 21

Height / Weight: 6-3 / 303 lbs

Draft Status

Projected: 2nd or 3rd Round | Actual: 4th Round (Pick 132) by the Baltimore Ravens

Original Profile

College Statistics

Player Overview

Willie Henry is an intriguing mid-round defensive lineman. He's powerful and heavy-handed and caused a lot of damage to opposing offenses playing from the DT and DE positions while he was at Michigan. He's improved every year at there and has tremendous upside if he can continue to develop and improve his football IQ and technique. Henry has good pass rushing ability he can abuse opposing lineman and get after the QB. After watching him a bit he is prone to mentally check out in some instances. For example, he had five offsides penalties this season, during the Michigan State game he dived on top of the pile for an unnecessary roughness penalty. During the Penn State game, he worked Christian Hackenburg (which is good) but he was a half to full step late with some of his hits, that's going to be roughing the passer in the NFL. Henry is a good guy and player but it's concerning that he makes so many boneheaded plays. He will have to be coached up and learn to play smarter and walk the tightrope between being a nasty, tough, and aggressive pass-rusher that makes plays and being the player that makes fans and coaches pull their hair out because of penalties.

Recent News

How He Makes the Ravens Better and Creates Problems for the Redskins

I loved Willie Henry. Really, I included him on my “love” list of players right before draft day. Remember how HogsHaven members felt about Andrew Billings? That's how I felt about Henry. Sure, he was never seriously in 1st round consideration but he could have been a day two pick and after the selection of Su’a Cravens in the 2nd round I was filled with anticipation for his selection. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be as the Redskins traded out of the 4th round entirely and selected Matt Ioannidis with their 5th round pick.

I’ve slowly gotten over it but I still believe Henry will be a hell of a player in the NFL. I think Baltimore got an absolute steal in the 4th round by taking him. Reports coming out of camp are already giving him high praise and Baltimore Beatdown is already anticipating that he will put pressure on starter Timmy Jernigan to perform. Henry needs a lot of refinement but his attitude and physical gifts make him the type of aggressive defensive lineman you want on the field on all three downs to terrorize the quarterback.