Great hope: The general manager of the Baltimore Ravens outlines strategies for an unexpected off…

The general manager of the Baltimore Ravens outlines an unexpected offseason strategy for the running back position.

The Baltimore Ravens have been connected to a possible springtime chase of some of the best running backs available, but it appears that their general manager is willing to stick with the starting RB from the previous campaign.

This past season, the Ravens were only one victory away from making it to the Super Bowl. It was evident that the team needed to improve offensively and not rely too heavily on the arm and legs of the gifted quarterback if they expected to win it all the next season, even with the best efforts of 2023 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.

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For this reason, there have been rumors that the team may use their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to bolster its wide receiver or offensive line for the upcoming campaign. There have also been whispers of an upgrade at running back, with a recent article speculating that they may target free agent studs Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley.

Career statistics for JK Dobbins: 24 games, 1,347 running yards, 19 total touchdowns, and 5.8 yards per carry.

Even though those two exceptional veterans may still be pursued, general manager Eric DeCosta seemed receptive to the notion of bringing back JK Dobbins, the starting running back from the previous season, even though he has only appeared in nine games in the previous two seasons.

“We’re still in communication with Gus Edwards. We’ll speak with J.K.; we have a few free agents, DeCosta said on the team’s website on Tuesday. “With those guys, we’re hoping to do something.”

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Though it is an unexpected choice, the Ravens had high expectations for Dobbins prior to this past season because the former second-round selection had flashed flashes of brilliance in 2022. Sadly, he tore his Achilles in Week 1 of 2023 despite being handed the starting role, and his 2022 season was cut short by an ACL injury.

Though the Baltimore Ravens don’t have a lot of money to spend this offseason, the organization might believe he can recover from both injuries, and he would undoubtedly cost very little in free agency.

The Ravens are optimistic that they can resolve their issues with Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins.

Which running backs the Ravens keep on the club in 2024 will impact their intentions for the 2023 season? They used multiple running backs that season.

Baltimore still has contracts with Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell, who just recovered from a knee injury that ended the season. Although Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins are not signed, the organization is trying to get them back, according to General Manager Eric DeCosta’s Tuesday statement.

Gus and I are still in communication. We’ll speak with J.K.—we have a few free agents,” DeCosta stated through the team website. “With those guys, we’re hoping to do something.

There are a few players on that list who could be of interest to clubs in the running back market, but the Ravens are limited in what they can say about other teams’ players who are now scheduled for free agency.

Running it back with the same backs from the previous season may not be as tempting as grabbing one of the backs scheduled to reach the open market, like Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard.