The Baltimore Ravens are playing good football this year, but things are far from great. Although Baltimore is currently atop the standings, they are a player or two away from pulling away in the race. Although the Ravens have done a great job at persisting through injuries on both sides of the ball, the roster is already too thin to leave it as is. Defensively, Baltimore has welcomed back Marcus Williams, Marlon Humphrey, and Odafe Oweh who all missed multiple weeks to start the season. Luckily, players like Geno Stone, Brandon Stephens, and Jadeveon Clowney have stepped up to even the workload.
As far as the offense goes, injuries have kept the unit from reaching its full potential. Rookie Zay Flowers has been the only wide receiver to play in every game this season. Every other receiver has missed at least one game. Baltimore does not have the depth on offense to keep sustaining week-to-week injuries. Baltimore is especially thin in the backfield, relying on Lamar Jackson to lead the team in rushing. There are starting-caliber running backs being shopped, and the Ravens must pick up the phone and trade for Saquon Barkley.
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The Ravens Need Saquon Barkley In Baltimore
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley will likely be playing for a new team next year. The relationship between Barkley and the Giants is seemingly frazzled from the outside looking in. Barkley has spent every season of his six-year career in New York, but it feels like the end is near. Barkley was looking to stay with the Giants on a long-term deal, but the team was not on the same page. This offseason, Barkley was placed on a one-year $10M franchise tag. Whenever a player of Barkley’s caliber seeks a long-term deal and doesn’t receive it, free agency is normally imminent. Once this season ends, there is sure to be a plethora of teams lined up for Barkley’s services. The Ravens should reach out the the Giants and inquire about the superstar running back.
What Can Barkley Add To the Team?
Simply put, the Ravens do not run the football effectively when Lamar Jackson is not the ball carrier. The fortune of every NFL franchise is directly tied to the quarterback. If Baltimore continues to put Jackson in harm’s way and he suffers a serious injury, the Ravens will be set back for years. With that being said, Saquon Barkley can help prolong the career of Jackson by preserving his legs and ultimately his body. Another advantage that Barkley would provide the Ravens is his pass-catching abilities out of the backfield. Barkley is a true dual-threat running back.
Here’s a football fact as old as time: running the football with success opens up the passing game. The receivers in Baltimore have not been great this season, but the addition of another star in the backfield could completely change that. The Ravens have not had a Pro Bowl running back since Mark Ingram II in 2019. Now is the time to change that before the price goes up.
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Main Photo: Mark Konezny – USA Today Sports
