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Why the Ravens are just fine at running back
Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Why the Ravens are just fine at running back

Some have questioned whether or not the Ravens need to add to their running back room this offseason. Here is why they don't.

The main answer is RB J.K. Dobbins. Despite playing in just eight games this season, he's proven he can be the bell cow for Baltimore and now has the entire offseason to get fully healthy.

"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," NFL Network's Maurice Jones-Drew writes.

The Ravens 2020 second round pick hasn't been shy in expressing that he wants the ball more. 

"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."

However, it doesn't stop at Dobbins. Gus Edwards has shown he can fill in or relieve Dobbins when needed, rushing for 433 yards and three touchdowns in 2022.

"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 Dobbins and Edwards are signed through the 2023 season. And although they've both dealt with their fair share of injuries, their upside is too high to take away touches or keep them sidelined.

Justice Hill and Kenyan Drake were also good compliments to Baltimore's run game this season. Both of their contracts expire after this year, but they could likely be brought back on cheap deals for depth.

All things considered, the Ravens should run it back with their running back room and reevaluate next offseason when Dobbins' and Edwards' contracts are set to expire. Resources can be better spent in the immediate future. 

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