Ravens Backfield Prediction
The Baltimore Ravens have struggled with injuries throughout the majority of camp. Rookie first round selection Rashod Bateman is currently rehabbing from groin surgery, Marquise Brown is practicing for the first time since early July after tweaking his hamstring, and newly signed veteran Sammy Watkins has not been available since the first joint practice with the Carolina Panthers. But perhaps the most devastating of injuries came in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Washington Football Team. While the Ravens broke the NFL record with their 20th preseason victory, it didn’t come without cost. On the Ravens first drive Lamar Jackson threw a swing pass to Dobbins and after a collision with a Washington DB, Dobbins stayed down, in obvious pain. Every Ravens fan in attendance and watching at home held their breath as he was carted into the locker room, and the next day our worst fears were realized as Adam Schefter reported that Dobbins had a torn ACL.
Upon hearing this awful news, there was immediate speculation about a possible addition to the Ravens RB room. Everyone knew that the majority of the carries would go to 4th year RB Gus Edwards, who just signed a $10 Million extension this offseason. However, during his time as offensive coordinator Greg Roman has employed a complex run scheme that utilizes multiple RBs. Gus Edwards has been the most consistent piece in the Ravens run game and while his role is expected to expand after the injury to Dobbins, there is still a large hole to be filled. So with multiple names being thrown around as potential RB2s, I am going to break down the three names I think are the most likely to fill that role.
Ty’Son Williams
Williams in my opinion is the most likely option. He knows the offense well, after signing as an undrafted FA last year, and had an exceptional preseason showing. In the first game against the New Orleans Saints he ran for 41 on 10 carries and 47 yards with a touchdown on 10 carries in the second preseason game against the Panthers. Williams showed good speed and agility this preseason, as well as the ability to take the ball to the house. Dobbins was expected to play a valuable role in the pass game this season, and it is yet to be seen if Williams has true pass-catching ability, though he did flash a bit this summer. After RB Nate McCrary was waived despite also having a strong showing this preseason, Ty’Son has every opportunity to carve out a large role for himself in the Ravens offense.
Le’Veon Bell
Many Ravens fans have hated this idea for multiple reasons. Maybe it’s because he’s a former Pittsburgh Steeler, maybe you hated his last rap album, or maybe you don’t have faith in a 29 year old RB who hasn’t been very productive the past 2 seasons, but hear me out. The main reason I would push for Baltimore to sign Bell is for his pass-catching ability, and what he can do for Lamar Jackson. Despite the confidence you as a fan might have in our guys already, hear me and hear me well when I say NONE of them (including a healthy Dobbins) have proven to be as good of a pass catcher as Le’Veon Bell. Bell has three seasons in which he caught at least 75 passes and over 600 yards. Even if you want to ignore his Pittsburgh statistics because it feels like ages ago since he was at that level, in his first season with the New York Jets Bell caught 66 passes for 461 yards, which is more than Gus Edwards, Ty’Son Williams and Justice Hill have in their careers combined. Also it’s worth noting that the last time Bell was in an offense that actually valued the run game he was arguably the best RB in the NFL. With Justice Hill missing most of Training Camp due to injury and Baltimore only having two healthy backs in a run dominant scheme, I do expect them to explore the FA market and Bell should be the first call. Any RB can thrive sharing a backfield with Lamar Jackson, but a backfield with Jackson and Bell would terrify defensive coordinators.
Todd Gurley
Another talented RB on the market and the 3rd most likely option is Todd Gurley. He’s been the most popular name among speculation after visiting the Ravens earlier this summer. The Baltimore native left the Ravens facility without a contract but I wouldn’t be surprised if he found himself in purple this year. If you go back to last season Dez Bryant visited the Ravens in the offseason and left without a contract as well, but after continuing to get in better shape the Ravens made the call late last year. Although the circumstances are different, Gurley, for many of the same reasons as Bell, makes a lot of sense. He’s a proven veteran who not only has playoff, but super bowl experience and has a proven track record of being able to catch passes out of the backfield. In 2017 Gurley caught 64 passes for 788 yards and 6 TDs. He followed that up in 2018 with 59 catches for 580 yards and 4 TDs. The biggest concern with Gurley would be his health after lingering knee injuries have left him unable to regain MVP runner-up form. However, his role would be much different in Baltimore than in LA or Atlanta. Gurley would see far fewer snaps being the RB2, and would primarily be used on 3rd down. This would probably benefit Gurley and buy him some more time on his knees, and just like with Bell, a read option between Todd Gurley and Lamar Jackson leaves defenders with a business decision to make.
While Dobbins’ injury was a major blow that devastated Ravens fans, it by no means takes this team out of playoff contention. Dobbins is a great young back who I believe will come back stronger than ever, but the silver lining is that the Ravens already had a historic rushing offense without him. Gus Edwards is a proven, consistent workhorse who's ready to take over as the primary back. And even if the Ravens don’t take a chance on Bell or Gurley, I still expect them to finish top 5 with one of the most dynamic rushing attacks in the league thanks to the pairing of Lamar Jackson and Greg Roman.