Ravens Free Agency: Baltimore Expected to Add Depth at Running Back
The Baltimore Ravens may be seeking some reinforcements in their running game heading into 2023.
However, the upgrade may not come in the traditional sense.
Baltimore’s rushing attack was among the best in the NFL. The Ravens ranked second in total rushing yards (2720) and yards-per-carry (5.2) while earning 14 touchdowns via the ground game.
Of course, it should be noted that quarterback Lamar Jackson led the team in rushing yards with 764.
With only two dedicated rushers under contract heading into 2023, NFL.com recently identified the Ravens positional depth chart at running back as one in need of adding “additional depth.”
Per Kevin Patra of Around The NFL:
Top RBs under contract for 2023: J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards
Key free agents: Kenyan Drake (UFA), Justice Hill (UFA)
It took an in-season knee cleanup for Dobbins to regain some of his explosion in 2022. Another year removed from his nasty 2021 injury, can he get closer to what we anticipated coming off a sensational rookie campaign in 2020? If healthy, Dobbins and Edwards form a solid one-two punch. With the Ravens moving on from Greg Roman, the assumption is we'll get an offense that doesn't lean so heavily on the run game. As such, adding a pass-catching third option makes sense in Baltimore.
As Patra indicated, the departure of former offensive coordinator Greg Roman will likey mean a shift in philosophy for the Ravens rushing schemes. While newly-installed OC Todd Monken is quite adept at scheming to maximize the skill set of mobile quarterbacks, he is at his best when devising an overall strategy involving third-down efficiency and red zone scoring strikes.
In light of the uncertainty surrounding Jackson’s future in Baltimore, the Ravens will almost certainly be in the market to upgrade their running game. Dobbins and Edwards should be able to build on the synergy they built in 2022, keeping their ground game in solid shape.
If Baltimore decides to test the free agent waters for capable receiving backs, they may find Kansas City Chiefs’ dual-threat Jerick McKinnon to their liking. McKinnon finished the 2022 regular season with 56 catches, 512 yards and nine receiving touchdowns. Houston Texans’ veteran Rex Burkhead has long been a quality receiving back. Burkhead has 192 career receptions and logged 37 catches last season.
Regardless of their added personnel, the Ravens corps of rushers will undoubtedly look different in 2023.
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