Ravens Draft: No Rookie RBs Until Day 3?
The Baltimore Ravens are expected to add at least one running back this offseason -either through the draft or in free agency. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are both set to become free agents on Wednesday when the new league year begins, leaving the team with just two under contract for 2024 in Keaton Mitchell and Justice Hill.
It's expected that general manager Eric DeCosta will have the Ravens in play for a big-name free agent like Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley. But if those players are priced out of the Ravens' market, DeCosta will head back to the NFL Draft to fill the need.
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SBNation points out that the teams have had great success in the past finding backs through the later rounds of the draft.
"There have been several notable mid-to-later running backs and fullbacks who have carved out roles on offense and had success over the years. Chester Taylor (sixth round 2002) was a nice complement to Lewis before going on to have a nice career as a starter with the Minnesota Vikings. Le’Ron McClain (fourth-round 2007) ran for a career-high 902 yards and 10 touchdowns as an All-Pro fullback in 2008.
"Kyle Juszczyk (fourth-round 2013) made his first of eight straight Pro Bowls as a fullback with the Ravens in 2016. Javorius ‘Buck’ Allen (fourth-round 2015) eclipsed 840 scrimmage yards twice in his four years with the team from 2015-18. Kenneth Dixon (fourth-round 2016) was a nice change of pace back when healthy in 2016 and 2018.
"The most recent example is Hill (fourth-round 2019) who bided his time and worked his way up through special teams and was the unsung hero of the Ravens’ offense in many ways in 2023 which resulted in him setting new career highs across the board."
Granted, this draft admittedly might not be as deep as others per DeCosta, but it does include players expected to still be available on Day 3 like Notre Dame's Audric Estime, Kentucky’s Ray Davis, South Dakota State’s Isaiah Davis, Washington’s Dillion Johnson, TCU’s Emani Bailey, and South Mississippi’s Frank Gore Jr.
While the primary focus for DeCosta will be free agency, a lack of funds may prohibit Baltimore from a big-name signing. So the secondary focus will be a late-round running back who hopes to make the team in camp.
