Ebony Bird
FanSided

Le’Veon Bell is not a Raven: 3 big things from free agency drama

By Chris Schisler

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Le'Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs upfield after a catch for a 20 yard touchdown reception in the first quarter during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Le'Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs upfield after a catch for a 20 yard touchdown reception in the first quarter during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
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) /

2. Is Mark Ingram a good enough consolation prize?

More from Ebony Bird

It may feel a bit like the expectations vs. reality meme, but Mark Ingram is a solid option for the purple and black. Baltimore may not need a running back desperately, but they can certainly use the help in the backfield. Ingram is not the huge win of free agency that Bell would have been, but saying that Ingram is bad isn’t fair. While paying a 30-year-old running back isn’t always a great investment, Ingram has good football left in the tank. Ingram spent most of his career as part of a running back by committee. He’s got some wear and tear, but sharing snaps with Alvin Kamara over the past two years saved him from the bruising of being a workhorse back.

One of the serious limitations of Gus Edwards is that he isn’t much of a receiver out of the backfield. Ingram can serve as a competent receiver out of the backfield. With Edwards in the game, the Ravens have one less passing option, which tips a run heavy offense’s hand. Ingram would make the Ravens far less predictable, because he is a good pass catcher and a good pass protector. Ingram is capable of having a 1,000 yard rushing season if he’s the main attraction and he’ll be a good safety valve for Jackson in the passing game. The Ravens would be adding a proven running back to the mix, something that they should value after the Alex Collins experiment.

The offense would not be getting a superstar but a reliable play-maker. That’s exactly what the Ravens need in a situation where Willie Snead is their best receiver by a country mile. The Ravens should try to bring Ingram in at the right number, but the move makes a ton of football sense. It also would allow the Ravens to move on to the NFL Draft with one less thing to worry about.

Home/Ravens News