2018 Baltimore Ravens: 5 potential X-factors

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Lamar Jackson of Louisville after he was picked #32 overall by the Baltimore Ravens during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Lamar Jackson of Louisville after he was picked #32 overall by the Baltimore Ravens during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
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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)

3. Kenneth Dixon

“If”is the word you throw around with Kenneth Dixon. If he can stay healthy and if he can become what he was at Louisiana Tech, the purple and black have a budding star on the roster. Any time you have potential hanging so potently in both directions, you’re talking about an X-Factor. The Ravens love to use the running back in the passing game, which is something Dixon is very comfortable with. Dixon is the type of player that gets into the open field and makes things happen.

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Dixon was unbelievably good in his NCAA career. Elusiveness is his top trait, yet he has the power of an every down back. In two years with the Ravens, Dixon has missed 20 games. He served a suspension for PED use while he was injured last year. The fact is that with Dixon, the Baltimore Ravens don’t know what they have. The Ravens already know that Alex Collins is the real deal. If you add Dixon making some splash plays, the offense could be in great enviable shape.

Dixon could be one of the most annoying running backs for linebackers to have to battle. He’s quick, shifty and elusive when he’s at the top of his game. The idea of wearing defenses down with Alex Collins and his dazzling quick feet, then making them stop Kenneth Dixon… that is an idea. If Dixon can do some dazzling of his own, and be a great counter punch in coordination with Collins, that could be incredible. Dixon is one of the true wild cards of this roster and a player to keep a lock out for.

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