Ravens Running Backs an Anchor of Baltimore Offense in 2023

While the Baltimore Ravens quarterback position is largely in question, there's one position where the organization is sitting pretty.

The Baltimore Ravens' 2022 campaign ended with somewhat of a thud against the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card round, and there are certainly questions heading into the offseason. 

Especially on offense.

While the quarterback position is largely in question, there's one place the organization is sitting pretty.

Running back.

J.K. Dobbins - the Ravens' 2020 second-round pick - dealt with injuries last season and appeared in just eight games, but has a history of carrying the ball - and the load - for the Baltimore offense.

"I should've been the guy," Dobbins said after the team's playoff loss to the Bengals. "I didn't get a single carry in the red zone."

Injury issues aside, when Dobbins is healthy, he has shown the ability to perform, says NFL Network's Maurice Jones-Drew.

"Looking at Weeks 14 through 17 — after he returned from midseason knee surgery — Dobbins led the league in both rush yards (397) and yards per carry (7.0) in that span (min. 35 carries). With the 24-year-old averaging 5.9 yards per carry thus far in the NFL, I can't wait to see his numbers if he stays healthy in 2023," says Drew.

And when Dobbins is hobbled or needs a rest? 

Enter Gus Edwards, who rushed for 433 yards and three touchdowns last season in relief of Dobbins.

"He was productive in his return to the field, averaging 5.0 yards per carry — a mark he's at least matched in every NFL campaign," Jones-Drew added about Edwards. "Hopefully Edwards will stay healthy in 2023 because he's a dynamic player when he is."

Both running backs are under contract through the 2023 campaign and should contribute on offense regardless of who's under center.

There were other backs last year, as Kenyan Drake and Justice Hill also ran the ball for the Ravens in 2022, but they will both enter free agency this offseason, and their futures with the club are up in the air.

Whoever coach John Harbaugh chooses as the next offensive coordinator should have an easy task managing the running backs room.

The good news is the Ravens have all of next season to evaluate Dobbins and Edwards for the future, and if Baltimore can get its quarterback situation under control, there's no reason why this team can't run it back to the playoffs.

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