5 Reasons the Ravens won’t go RB at No. 28
Ravens Nation, stop with the BRAVO SIERRA! Ya, I said it! Well sort of. The Baltimore Ravens are not going after a RB with the 28th overall pick. The nut from NFL.com who predicted it has been sniffing paint in the back with the construction guys building their new studio. While RB may be a future need, it is not a pressing one. Here are five reasons why this is not going down in the first round.
NO. 5 Scheme can only go so far…
The Ravens were the most blitzing-est team in football in 2019 but were terrible in results. Based on the amount of pressure given, the team only ranked 21st in sacks with only 37. Compare that to a year where the pressure was going right. I’m taking you for a ride in the time machine. Let’s go back to 2006. The Ravens had 60-sacks that year because the personnel was right. They had guys like Bart Scott Adalius Thomas, Terrell Suggs, Trevor Pryce, and Haloti Ngata upfront, creating pressure. Two of those three are at least Ring of Honor inductees, so maybe I’m reaching here. However, let’s go to 2014 when the roster was still good but not on that level. Ngata was still there, but his numbers weren’t as staggering. Chris Canty was no small addition, Brandon Williams, Courtney Upshaw and Suggs were certainly a formidable force. The team racked up 49-sacks that season (second in the league). With the additions of Michael Brockers, Calais Campbell, and the franchising of Matthew Judon, the team is one draft pick chess piece away from wrecking ball numbers like 2014 and 2006.
NO. 4 Justice for all
At what point did anyone look at the team’s backfield and say, “hmm, there’s a clear weakness here.” In the playoffs, there may have been a slight concern, but that was due to injuries and coaching decisions. That was purely on John Harbaugh and his scheme. Justice Hill did not even scratch the surface of what he is capable of. His production increased as the year went on as he had two 2-TDs the last two games of the season. Sitting behind Edwards and Ingram and still doing work is no easy feat. I believe his workload will only increase in 2020 when they put him in more receiving packages.
NO. 3 Gus Edwards
Please go back and take a look at the big runs. Gus had 20 runs of +10-yards in 2019. When there is a backup banging out 711-yds with 5.3-yds-per-carry on his first contract, you keep quiet and be thankful. Had the Ravens had more faith in him and just sat Ingram for the divisional playoff game, we might be looking at a different outcome.
NO. 2 Mark Ingram II
The hands-down, boss hog running back of this club. Face it, “Big Truss WOO WOO” is the mantra of this team, and it does not continue to exist without the creator of the slogan. It was not just the charisma of Mark that had this team pumped up through 2019; it was the production. 1265-yds of production, as well as 17 total TDs, is not a screaming cry for help at the RB position.
NO. 1 It ain’t broke!
This was the best ground game the NFL has seen since the 1978 New England Patriots. When you have the NFL’s leading ground attack featuring a record-setting rushing MVP QB in Lamar Jackson along with two RBs that can break-away on any play, the idea should be to continue to build on the success with what you currently have in-house. Greg Roman must be extremely excited to introduce even more RPO, read-option, triple option, and pistol formation looks with his current personnel.
Sure, adding the top RB in the draft at 28 would be nice, but where would the team put him? D’andre Swift would be better fit on a team that actually needs a RB like the Miami Dolphins who think Frank Gore is a good answer. The Ravens have other glaring needs that they should address beforehand.