Why the Baltimore Ravens shouldn’t target Le’Veon Bell this offseason
The Baltimore Ravens could make a real splash by targeting Le’Veon Bell in free agency. Here is why they shouldn’t:
Le’Veon Bell is a great player and one of the most interesting free agents the Baltimore Ravens could go after. Bell is a great all around running back and he can make a huge impact in the passing game as a receiver. There are two problems with targeting Bell this offseason.
The first problem is the price tag. Bell sat out for an entire year to get the contract he feels he deserves. He’s been waiting for the moment when he can go to the highest bidder. Bell may be worth an awful lot of money, but the Ravens have more to do than just add a running back. Gus Edwards and Kenneth Dixon may not be the superstar that Bell is, but if they can produce like they did in 2018, Bell’s potential contract would look ridiculous in Baltimore.
Running backs aren’t exactly a dime a dozen like many people suggest. There are very few Saquan Barkley’s, Todd Gurley’s or Ezekiel Elliott’s in the league. Truly special running backs are anything but easy to find. The Ravens know this well. Baltimore has only really had two great running backs. They have however had a bunch of serviceable backs. Edwards, Dixon, Justin Forsett and Willis McGahee are just a handful of examples.
In terms of great running backs, they had Jamal Lewis and Ray Rice. That’s it. Do you know how they got them? They drafted them. Do you know how Barkley, Gurley and Elliott got to their respective teams? They were drafted. Look at the impact Alvin Kamara has had for the Saints. If the Ravens pick the right back and they don’t wait until day three of the draft, they could get their guy. That’s a lot cheaper than making a splash with Bell.
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The second problem with signing Bell is that he isn’t a scheme fit for what we saw in Greg Roman’s offense. Bell is a patient runner who finds the open lane and makes people miss. Edwards and Dixon just knife through the hole, and they barrel through even if there’s no daylight. The Ravens shouldn’t shell out big money for a player who doesn’t fit the scheme.
There are more practical solutions to the Ravens running back doubts if they want to venture into free agency for this purpose. Yesterday, I highlighted C.J. Anderson as an under the radar free agent. He would be a perfect fit for the offense. The Ravens need a downhill running back and Anderson is a bowling ball. Mark Ingram would also be a great fit for Baltimore. Those are the two backs I would target if I was Eric DeCosta. You would get a better fit for the offense at a better price.
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Would it be fun to stick it to Pittsburgh, and make them watch Bell thrive in Baltimore? Yes. It would be a lot of fun. The Ravens have a lot of needs though. They should focus on the offense. However they shouldn’t put all their eggs in the Le’Veon Bell sweepstakes.