No. 2: Ravens Running Back Gus Edwards
At the tail end of 2019, running back Gus Edwards could have been considered a shoo-in for a bigger role in Baltimore’s offense the following season, potentially securing an even bigger one with the starter, Mark Ingram, getting up there in age.
But that was before the Ravens managed to steal former Ohio State tailback J.K. Dobbins in Round 2 of this year’s NFL Draft. Dobbins, viewed as arguably the best runner in this year’s draft class, is going to be the future on the ground in Baltimore and the eventual replacement for Ingram when that time comes.
As such, Edwards finds himself likely competing for the No. 3 role alongside fellow tailback Justice Hill. True, Baltimore would be more than happy keeping four runners on the 53-man roster. But that’s where positional value comes into play. Had Dobbins not been introduced, it would be a non-issue.
It’s possible to make the argument Edwards would have a leg up over Hill. But the latter is two years younger and under a cheap contract through 2022. Edwards, meanwhile, is signed only through this season at $750,000 and with zero in dead money if cut.
Edwards isn’t on the weaker side of the bubble by any means. But it’s far too soon to consider him a lock, especially if the Ravens consider moving this particular asset in a pre-Week 1 trade.