The Baltimore Ravens will have to wait a little bit longer before they see J.K. Dobbins at full strength. The running back tweaked his knee during Week 6’s loss to the New York Giants and will miss the next 4-6 weeks. This leaves Kenyan Drake atop the depth chart, which isn’t ideal. Gus Edwards could help the Ravens running back room, but it shouldn’t surprise anyone if the Baltimore Ravens turn to the trade market to fill their need at running back.
Ravens’ standout RB J.K. Dobbins is expected to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery next week that would sideline him 4-6 weeks, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2022
Baltimore Ravens Running Back Trade Targets Following J.K. Dobbins Injury
Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams
Far and away the most obvious choice on the list, running back Cam Akers appears to have worn out his welcome in Los Angeles. After starting the season backing up Darrell Henderson, the former second-round pick reportedly had a falling out with head coach Sean McVay, and the player and organization are both looking for a fresh start.
Akers had a phenomenal college profile and showed some signs of life in the NFL before he ruptured his Achilles in the 2021 offseason. He hasn’t looked great this year, but if the Ravens believe he can regain his old form, then he’s certainly worth a flier.
David Montgomery, Chicago Bears
David Montgomery might just be the most unremarkable starting running back in the NFL, but unremarkable is better than what the Ravens currently have. Montgomery is a jack of all trades, master of none that could easily handle starting duties in a friendly system like Baltimore’s. Currently sitting at 2-4, the Chicago Bears are clearly not competing for anything this year and have a tantalizing backup in Khalil Herbert. While he might be more expensive than Akers, trading Montgomery makes a lot of sense for both the Bears and Ravens.
Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders
Antonio Gibson is an electrifying running back that can make plays both on the ground and through the air, but Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera doesn’t appear to know this. The team re-signed J.D. McKissic to handle passing work and drafted Brian Robinson to be the early-down thumper, leaving Gibson as the odd man out in Washington’s backfield. Putting someone as electric as Gibson in Baltimore’s offense would be widly unfair for opposing defenses, and the 2-4 Commanders would probably be willing to sell at the trade deadline.
Damien Harris, New England Patriots
This admittedly isn’t too likely, seeing as the Patriots are still very much in the playoff race and wouldn’t want to make an AFC rival even stronger. That being said, this is Bill Belichick we’re talking about, and he’s not afraid to make unconventional moves. Rhamondre Stevenson is clearly a starting-caliber back in the NFL, and Harris is currently in the final year of his contract. Harris’ hard-nosed, downhill style of play is a perfect fit for Baltimore’s offense, and he’d be the perfect short-yardage punisher with big-play potential.
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Despite tearing his Achilles late in 2021, James Robinson entered the season as Jacksonville’s primary starter. However, as the season progressed, Robinson started ceding more and more of the work to former first-round pick Travis Etienne. Robinson is a starting-caliber running back, and the 2-4 Jaguars are going nowhere fast in the playoff hunt. Once again, the price would have to be right, but both sides should have plenty of interest in getting a deal done.
