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2018 Baltimore Ravens: 5 questions for the backfield

By Chris Schisler

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 25: Kenneth Dixon #30 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes against Lawrence Timmons #94 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter during the game at Heinz Field on December 25, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 25: Kenneth Dixon #30 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes against Lawrence Timmons #94 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter during the game at Heinz Field on December 25, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Fullback Patrick Ricard #42 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after dropping a pass in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Fullback Patrick Ricard #42 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after dropping a pass in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

3. How involved will Pat Ricard be at the fullback position?

The fullback position is an interesting thing for the 2018 Ravens. Last season the Ravens converted a defensive lineman, Pat Ricard to the role. Ricard did okay as a blocker, but the Ravens knew this was a bit of a project. Ricard could become a strong fullback, but one way or another he isn’t much of a weapon in the offense. He couldn’t be any more different from the previous fullback in Baltimore, Kyle Juszczyk.

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The offense could actually have a hard time fitting in the fullback position on the field. They will certainly have Ricard in on short yardage situations. That being said the Ravens will likely use a lot of two tight end sets, which only leaves room for two wide receivers. Mornhinweg may not want to cut into that number with a fullback who isn’t a weapon. Ricard in the game could scream running play, or it could hamper the Ravens ability to load their best set of weapons on the field.

The Draft may have shaped this conversation:

Hayden Hurst’s versatility could see him being used in the backfield. Hurst could be lined up as a fullback or a H-back and be an ever-present weapon. This would let Mark Andrews be lined up as a tight end with two receivers on the outside. The Ravens drafted a tight end with two of their first four picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, both should be part of the plan this season. If the Ravens want to use more two tight end sets, Ricard could see less action at fullback.

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