Ebony Bird
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Baltimore Ravens: Running backs to target for Lamar Jackson

By Richard Bradshaw

KANSAS CITY, MP - JANUARY 15: Running back Le'Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers tosses the ball forward after gaining a first down against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 15, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MP - JANUARY 15: Running back Le'Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers tosses the ball forward after gaining a first down against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 15, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: Mark Ingram #22 of the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Divisional Playoff at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: Mark Ingram #22 of the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Divisional Playoff at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Mark Ingram:

Mark Ingram may never sniff the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame, but he’ll certainly be remembered as one of the better running backs of the last decade. Since being drafted 26th overall in 2011, Ingram has racked up over 6,000 rushing yards and 50 rushing touchdowns. Ingram has found his grove over the last few seasons and his connection with his teammate Alvin Kamara has given the New Orleans Saints a bountiful amount of talent in the backfield.

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However, because of Kamara’s emergence in the NFL, Ingram, who is an unrestricted free agent, has become expendable for New Orleans. It simply wouldn’t be the best investment for the Saints to bring back a 29-year old running back for big-bucks when you have an even more talented, and younger back for so much less money. The Baltimore Ravens would certainly be happy to obtain Ingram’s services, and it’s easy to imagine that Lamar Jackson would also be happy with this move.

The Ravens need leadership in their backfield, and Ingram would provide exactly that. While the team has plenty of cheap, talented options, none of them are as talented as Ingram is, even at his age. Even at 29, Ingram is still a Pro Bowl caliber player, and FYI he turned 29 last month, so 2019 will be his actual age 29 season.

Ingram could be signed short-term for Baltimore and be fairly cheap, while also providing the team with a top-notch option to compliment the rest of the team’s backfield. Lamar Jackson is going to need tons of help growing and developing as an NFL player, and Ingram can be an excellent teacher for Jackson as he matures. Ingram’s consistency as a runner, receiver, and blocker cannot be overlooked and it’s his level of reliability that will help to take Jackson to new heights.

Ingram is a short-term option with long-term upside, but he makes the most sense of any of the backs on this list.

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