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Baltimore Ravens: Potential replacements for Kenneth Dixon

By Richard Bradshaw

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 18: Running back Terrance West #28 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 18: Running back Terrance West #28 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 22: Ryan Mathews
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 22: Ryan Mathews /

Ryan Mathews:

Starting off the list with a name that has floated around the Ravens throughout the off season, Ryan Mathews is a savvy veteran who fits what the Ravens like to do pretty well. Mathews will turn 30 in October, but hasn’t seen a lot of tread on his tired the past two seasons in Philadelphia.

In his two seasons as an Eagle, Mathews has accumulated 261 carries for a flat 1,200 rushing yards and 16 total touchdowns. That’s roughly 4.6 yards per carry (YPC) and an average eight touchdowns per season. Mathews has also tagged on 33 receptions with two of his 16 total touchdowns coming through the air.

That all sounds pretty good for Mathews, who is likely the odd man out in a suddenly crowded Eagles’ backfield. As of writing this, Mathews has yet to be cut by the team, but is more than likely the man to leave the City of Brotherly Love.

Related Story: Ravens add Bobby Rainey to roster

The biggest question surrounding Mathews is the one thing Ravens’ fans don’t want to hear: Is he going to be able to stay healthy? In his two seasons in Philadelphia, Mathews missed six total games, three in each season. Not too bad, right? Here’s the gut-punch: Mathews has played 16 games just once in his entire seven-year career, and that was way back in 2013. In fact, of a possible 112 games, Mathews has only played in 83.

This move seems to be the most likely if the Ravens decided to go with an outside man. Of course, his hard-nosed, downhill running style would be perfect for what the Ravens like to do.

Overall, this would be a solid addition for the Ravens, but likely for only the 2017 season. Fans would likely be okay with kicking the tires on Mathews as a stop-gap solution for 2017, but it wouldn’t be anything to get excited about.

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