The 2024 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, and the Baltimore Ravens have multiple holes to fill. After boasting the most talented roster in the league last year, several starters left for greener pastures, forcing the Ravens to get creative as they search for replacements. The one position that is improved from last year is running back, as Baltimore signed let Gus Edwards walk and signed superstar Derrick Henry.
Despite Henry’s presence, several analysts across the league still expect the Ravens to draft a running back at some point. This makes sense, as the four-time Pro Bowler is entering his age-30 season, has over 2,000 professional carries to his name, and can’t possibly have much more left in his tank. General Manager Eric DeCosta all but confirmed these outside reports during a recent press conference, as the executive acknowledged the team will probably add a running back with one of their nine picks.
Eric DeCosta: “Pretty Strong Chance” Ravens Draft A Running Back
DeCosta began his press conference by discussing the running back market. After years of stagnating value, multiple free agents received large deals in large part due to the underwhelming crop of rookies.
““I think it was an interesting dynamic this year [for running backs] in free agency,” DeCosta said. “You saw whatever it was — maybe nine or 10 guys — get signed on the first day of free agency. I think part of that was probably how people looked at this running back class in the draft. There are no top-tier, first-round, necessarily, type talents this year. That being said, there are a lot of guys — if you are looking at the prospects in maybe the second, third or fourth round — there are a lot of those guys, particularly [in the] third-, fourth-, fifth-round clumps, so we’ve looked at those guys very closely. We’re excited about some of those players.”
Based on DeCosta’s quote, the Ravens aren’t going to select a running back with a first- or second-round pick in the NFL Draft, but they could take a flier with one of their mid- to late-round picks. Later in that same press conference, the general manager said that there was “a pretty strong chance” the team would go after a running back.
Possible Prospects
Even though the Ravens have nine picks, they’ll need to use their early picks to draft a more important position like wide receiver, edge defender, and the offensive line. Quite frankly, it would be irresponsible to use an early-round pick on a luxury position like running back, especially since they already have a reliable starter in Derrick Henry.
However, by the time the fourth and fifth rounds arrive, the Ravens should be in a position to draft a complementary running back like New Hampshire’s Dylan Laube. While Henry is a ferocious downhill runner, Laube is at his best as a receiver. Even though New Hampshire isn’t a football school, the Wildcat possesses NFL agility and route running ability. When paired with Henry, these two could provide a fantastic thunder-and-lightning duo.
If, however, the Ravens are looking for more of a jack of all trades, master of none, they could draft Kentucky’s Ray Davis. While his athleticism leaves something to be desired, he can run and catch at an adequate level and is the ideal backup running back. If Henry needs a break, he can step in for a few plays and keep defenses respecting the ground game. If there’s a clear passing situation, Davis can hold his own in pass protection and make some plays out of the backfield. Just don’t expect him to break off too many explosive plays.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
