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Baltimore Ravens must build future around Alex Collins

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Running Back Alex Collins #34 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Running Back Alex Collins #34 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Alex Collins is having a phenomenal season considering he started the year with the Seahawks practice squad. The Ravens have to build the offense around him:

The Baltimore Ravens must build their 2018 team with the mindset that Alex Collins will be the centerpiece of the offense. There is no question who is the best player on the field when the Ravens have the ball. Collins is what makes the Ravens’ offense tick. Without his 120 yards on the ground and his 46 yards receiving the 38 point performance in Pittsburgh would have been impossible.

The purple and black are still very much in the thick of things, but let’s look ahead to next year. The offense is going to need an overhaul of talent. Mike Wallace may not be back next year. It’s no promise that Jeremy Maclin returns to the team, a point that Tony Lombardi raised on Russell Street Report: 

"“Unless he has some sort of resurgence during the balance of the season, it is likely that Maclin will be gone. Passing on Maclin’s option in 2018 will save the Ravens $5M in cap space.”"

If Mr. Lombardi is correct, the Ravens could realistically go into 2018 even more desperate for wide receivers than they already are. Chris Moore has come a long way but he is not a number one wide receiver. The Ravens have little to be excited about at the tight end position.

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While the Ravens certainly have to add to their passing game, the running game is what they don’t have to worry about. Next year the Ravens will have Alex Lewis and Marshall Yanda back from injury, which will make more rushing lanes for Collins. Collins has 825 yards and five touchdowns on the season. With a full season as a starter and a better offensive line, Collins could have an incredible 2018 season.

When you live in a desert you don’t make plans that involve an abundance of water. The Ravens have Joe Flacco, who has had less ups than downs in recent years, as their quarterback. They don’t have a great group of wide receivers and it could get worse after the season. The passing attack has been monumentally better in the past two weeks but they still are in a passing desert. The running game should be the center of their offense moving forward.

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The Ravens need to overhaul the talent they have at the play-making positions. The only legitimate player of the future is their running back. They have Flacco locked in but he isn’t the quarterback of the future. Developing a back up behind him isn’t a bad idea. The Ravens have to get better wide receivers and tight ends. They have to get an offensive coordinator who gets it. However they have one part of a bright future in place. The Ravens have to build an offense around Collins and the running game.

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