The Baltimore Ravens seem committed to the three-headed running back monster, including Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards, and JK Dobbins. The Ravens are a run-first team and have the fortune of rostering three talented backs. There’s a fork in the road moment here. When the game is on the line, who gets the ball?
It’s time to free JK Dobbins. The 2020 second-round pick from Ohio State is itching for a more prominent role in the offense and deserves one. Through four games, Dobbins has 15 carries for 92 yards and two touchdowns. It doesn’t get much better than that with such a limited opportunity.
What’s more frustrating is that John Harbaugh stated that Dobbins would have a significant role in the offense before the season. Fifteen carries in four weeks ain’t it, chief!!!
Dobbins looks explosive and talented with every carry he gets. The time has come to give him a more significant role in the offense. This is not meant to disparage Ingram or Edwards. The fact of the matter is Dobbins is the future lead back of this offense.
Edwards is a restricted free agent after this season. He’s a very underrated running back with a career YPC mark of 5.4. However, given the depth the Ravens have, it might be wise to shop him and collect a draft pick. Either way, I’m not sure Baltimore wants to commit high dollars to Edwards with Dobbins waiting in the wings.
Ingram is past his prime a bit. Otherwise, he’d be the lead back without question on this team. The former first-round pick is still averaging 4.4 YPC, but it looks like he lost a step. After all, Ingram did hit that magic 30-year-old number. Ingram will also enter the final year of his contract in 2021, and Baltimore can cut bait if they want to with basically no dead money.
I get it to some degree. John Harbaugh and company want to keep this group fresh down the stretch. They also want to allow everyone to establish themselves. At some point, you have to declare a lead guy. We’ve seen enough of the three-headed monster. FREE JK DOBBINS!
