Ravens' Eric DeCosta Reveals Need for 'More Than Two' Running Backs
After falling short in the AFC Championship game to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Baltimore Ravens head into the offseason looking to add to a roster that had them on the doorstep of making it to the Super Bowl.
However, it won't just be about making upgrades, as the Ravens will also look to keep the talent they have. This especially rings true for the running back position, where Baltimore has just two on their current roster and two others currently set to hit free agency.
"Well, we need more than two running backs. So, certainly, I think you'll see us make a couple of acquisitions along the way," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said during his NFL Scouting Combine press conference. "We think Keaton Mitchell is going to come back from his knee injury. Justice was a player last year, probably one of the unsung heroes of our whole team, I would say."
Baltimore Ravens running backs Gus Edwards (left) and J.K. Dobbins (right).
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DeCosta's statement matches the recent buzz surrounding the Ravens and potentially signing a free-agent running back. With Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins set to hit free agency, the Ravens have been linked with current Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry and even Las Vegas Raiders' back Josh Jacobs.
However, even with players like Henry and Jacobs potentially available this offseason, DeCosta said they still hope to get deals done with Dobbins and Edwards.
"We're still talking to Gus [Edwards], we'll talk to J.K., a couple of free agents that we had. Hopefully, we can get something done with those guys."
It was after a season-ending injury to Dobbins that Edwards broke for the Ravens. The fifth-year back is fresh off a career year where he ran for 810 yards and 13 touchdowns on 198 carries while adding 180 yards as a receiver.
Edwards proved he could be a featured back, which has now put the Ravens at risk of losing him, as he is expected to have plenty of suitors. For Dobbins, the former Ohio State Buckeye has played in just nine games in the last two seasons, as both have been cut short due to injuries.
This makes it seem like Dobbins could potentially be more likely to re-sign with Baltimore, but if the Ravens want someone with a lesser injury record, then they could be forced to look in another direction.
