The Baltimore Ravens could not escape the injury bug during their preseason finale against the Washington Football Team. Second-year running back J.K. Dobbins is believed to have suffered a torn ACL, meaning that his season is over before it ever really began. Gus Edwards is going to bet the starter moving forward, but the Ravens should take a look at the available running back options.
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Five Baltimore Ravens Running Back Options to Fill In For J.K. Dobbins
Todd Gurley
By far the most likely signing of the bunch, former Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley is probably already on the next flight to Baltimore. The Ravens worked him out earlier in the offseason, and he’d be a natural fit for this offense. Gurley is not even close to being the player he once was, as he ranked at or near the bottom in just about every running back metric last year. That being said, Atlanta still trusted him to touch the ball 195 times last year, and that has to mean something. Edwards would still be the starter, but Gurley would probably usurp Ty’Son Williams and Justice Hill for the backup job.
With the injury news to JK Dobbins, it is worth noting that the #Ravens brought in free agent RB Todd Gurley for a visit back in June. Gus Edwards and Ty’Son Williams are currently the top two backs in Baltimore.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 29, 2021
Adrian Peterson
Much like Gurley, Adrian Peterson is nothing like the player he used to be. However, he has shown an ability to stay on his feet and eat up carries, and that’s what the Ravens need right now. Baltimore doesn’t throw to the running back all that often, and Peterson never made a living as a pass-catching back. In that sense, he’d be the perfect guy to spell Edwards on long drives and fill in during short-yardage situations.
Duke Johnson
Even though Baltimore’s scheme doesn’t require a pass-catching running back, it’s still nice to have somebody on the roster with that skillset. J.K. Dobbins was probably the best receiving back on the team, and catching passes is the biggest weakness in Edwards’ game. Duke Johnson has the best hands of all the free agent running backs and could be a nice third down option for this offense.
Deshaun Watson drops it right into the Duke Johnson 🧺 pic.twitter.com/rKafTUIWMb
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 26, 2020
Le’Veon Bell
Le’Veon Bell had a season to forget in 2020. Starting the year with the New York Jets, Bell was one of the least efficient runners in the league. His luck didn’t change with Kansas City, and his tenure with the AFC champions didn’t end on the highest of notes. However, he is the best-rounded back on the open market, capable of being at least adequate as a receiver and a rusher. That’s more than anyone else here can say, and could earn him a job as a backup.
Trade: Royce Freeman
Of course, the Ravens could decide to give up a Day 3 pick for the rights to Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman. With Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams firmly established as the 1-2 punch, Freeman might be on the way out of town. The former third-round pick is no superstar, but he has a lot more juice in his legs than any of the aforementioned veterans. Seeing as the Jacksonville Jaguars have a higher waiver priority and are probably looking for another running back, the Ravens might have to trade a conditional late-round pick to secure Freeman’s services.
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