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Baltimore Ravens: Picking surprise stat-leaders for 2019

By Richard Bradshaw

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: Tavon Young #25 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates an officials ruling confirming his fumble recovery for a touchdown, to take a 22-10 lead over the Los Angeles Chargers during a 22-10 Ravens win at StubHub Center on December 22, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: Tavon Young #25 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates an officials ruling confirming his fumble recovery for a touchdown, to take a 22-10 lead over the Los Angeles Chargers during a 22-10 Ravens win at StubHub Center on December 22, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 16: Gus Edwards #35 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 16: Gus Edwards #35 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Yards per carry: Gus Edwards

How fast did Baltimore Ravens fans forget about Gus Edwards and his 5.2 yards per carry as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2018?

Considering the immense rookie running back talent we saw last season, it’s understandable for NFL fans to overlook Edwards’ rookie season. For Ravens Flock, it’s unacceptable how quickly we’ve seemingly moved on from this. While I admittedly have been guilty of this, I will no longer be in that group. Instead, I’m here to tell you Edwards’ 2019 season will be an encore performance.

Must Read. Predicting the Baltimore Ravens 2019 Pro Bowl players. light

Is Gus Edwards going to lead the team in rushing yards? Probably not, as it’s safe to assume Mark Ingram will get close to 300 carries in his first season in Baltimore. Considering how much Lamar Jackson ran around in 2018, it wouldn’t be terribly surprising to see him remain active as a runner. But quantity doesn’t always equal quality. Those bulk carries will limit how high their YPC might be.

That’s where Gus Edwards steps into the equation. Part of what made him so effective in 2018 was his complimentary running style to Jackson’s. While his quarterback’s running was based around speed and finesse, Edwards’ was all about downhill, hard-nosed running. Naturally, tired defenses got bullied by him and chunk plays were a regular occurrence for Edwards.

I don’t see much changing in 2019. Ingram and Jackson will be tiring out defenses, leaving Edwards with a familiar scenario. Edwards may not finish in the top-two rushing leaders for Baltimore, but a YPC over 5.0 seems attainable once again.

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