Raven Country

Ravens Sign Running Back Kenyan Drake

Ravens could look to add dept.

Todd Karpovich

In this story:

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens signed another playmaker that was released by the Las Vegas Raiders.

Two weeks after signing veteran wide receiver Demarcus Robinson after he was cut by Las Vegas, the Ravens inked running back Kenyan Drake, according to his agent. 

“Kenyan Drake joined us today, and he’s a back who has had a lot of exciting plays in this league," coach John Harbaugh said. "He’s a big, strong, fast, kind of slasher-type back [with] experience in pass protection. [He] catches the ball well out of the back field. [He’s] a great guy, in talking to him. So, he’ll be taking more of the next four days to get up to speed and get ready to go.”

Drake, 28, was drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft from Alabama by the Miami Dolphins but was traded to the Cardinals in October 2019. That year, he had a career-high 1,162 yards from scrimmage with the Dolphins and Cardinals in 14 games played. 

Kenyan Drake
Kenyan Drake

In 2020, he ran for 955 yards from scrimmage in 15 appearances for Arizona. He signed with the Raiders in 2021 where he only started in two of his 12 appearances and had 254 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Drake’s strength is as a dual-threat tailback in both the run and passing game, but it’s unlikely he’ll get the starting spot wherever he lands next despite his skillset.

Drake has the versatility to support quarterback Lamar Jackson. 

He will share the backfield with J.K. Dobbins, Justice Hill and Mike Davis. However, Dobbins is coming off a season-ending knee injury and might be held out or limited in Week 1 against the Jets. 

— SI's Joseph Salvador contributed to this report. 

Published
Todd Karpovich
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. 

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