J.K. Dobbins Takeover with Coach Todd Monken? Ravens Positional Analysis - RBs

The Ravens averaged 160.0 yards rushing per game, second only to the Chicago Bears (177.3).

Todd Karpovich | Feb 20, 2023

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Baltimore Ravens

OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens had another dominant running attack despite missing their top two players — J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards — for several games because of injuries.

Baltimore averaged 160.0 yards rushing per game, second only to the Chicago Bears (177.3).

Dobbins missed all of last season with a knee injury and was limited to eight games in 2022 because he had scar tissue removed from the injured knee. Dobbins still finished the season with 520 yards on 92 carries with two touchdowns and was a force when he was in the lineup. He is expected to be fully healthy for the 2023 season.

Gus Edwards also missed all of last season with a knee injury. He is a solid downhill runner and had 433 yards on 87 carries with 3 touchdowns over nine games.

The Ravens were not able to effectively utilize the speedy Dobbins and the physical Edwards together. That could change under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

Prior to last season, Baltimore signed Kenyan Drake for insurance against injuries and he carried the ball 109 times for 482 yards and four touchdowns. Drake is a free agent and the Ravens would consider bringing him back, especially if Edwards is a salary-cap casualty.

Justice Hill is also a free agent and flashed his potential when given an opportunity this season. He ran for 262 yards on 49 carries. Hill is a solid special teams player and provides value to the team and the Ravens will likely look to bring him back.

The Ravens, however, are lamenting the loss of Tyler Badie, a sixth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Badie played well throughout training camp but was plucked off the practice squad by the Denver Broncos. He caught a touchdown pass after being added to Denver's 53-man roster on Dec. 29.

The Verdict

Overall, the Ravens should have a solid running attack again next season. The challenge for Monken will be to get the running backs more involved in the passing game and catching the ball out of the backfield. Dobbins could rush for 1,000 yards for the first time in his four-year career if he can stay healthy.

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Published Feb 20, 2023

TODD KARPOVICH

Twitter: @toddkarpovich Email: todd.karpovich@gmail.com Skype: todd.karpovich Todd Karpovich has been a contributor for ESPN, Forbes, the Associated Press, Lindy's, and The Baltimore Sun, among other media outlets nationwide. He is the co-author of “If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Baltimore Ravens Sideline, Locker Room, and Press Box,” “Skipper Supreme: Buck Showalter and the Baltimore Orioles,” and the author of “Manchester United (Europe's Best Soccer Clubs).” Karpovich, a Baltimore native, is a graduate of Calvert Hall College high school, Randolph-Macon College in Virginia, and has a Masters of Science from Towson University.