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Baltimore Ravens year in review: 3 things we learned at running back

By Chris Schisler

HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 20: J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Baltimore Ravens slips past Carlos Watkins #91 of the Houston Texans during the second half at NRG Stadium on September 20, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 20: J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Baltimore Ravens slips past Carlos Watkins #91 of the Houston Texans during the second half at NRG Stadium on September 20, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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Baltimore Ravens
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 04: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens hands off to teammate running back Gus Edwards #35 against the Washington Football Team during the second half at FedExField on October 4, 2020, in Landover, Maryland. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Washington Football Team did not host fans during the game. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Let’s look at the Baltimore Ravens 2020 season as it’s almost over and see what we’ve learned at running back:

1. Gus Edwards is a stud:

The one thing that stands out to me is that Gus Edwards is a stud. If you look at the Ravens season so far, Edwards has been the most consistent force at the running back position. If the Ravens can keep him, they really need to. Edwards has been a productive running back since he got into the action in the 2018 season.

With two games left in the 2020 season, Edwards has 578 yards. He needs just 140 yards on the ground to top his career-high, set back in his rookie season. It would be good to see Edwards reach a new high statistically because he seems to keep getting better. Edwards has gotten more elusive and more dangerous in the open field. He may be more multi-dimensional than he gets credit for.

He’ll always be more of a Jamal Lewis than a Ray Rice, yet he can do more than just run the ball north and south. Against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Edwards caught a pass deep down the field. He’s only been targeted eight times in the passing game, yet it’s worth noting it’s produced six receptions. Efficiency is the name of the game with Edwards. Not only does he pick up nearly five yards per rushing attempt; he also rarely leads the Ravens towards a negative play.

What we’ve learned about Edwards is that he has the potential to be a number one running back. Hopefully, the rest of the NFL hasn’t quite figured this out. If the Ravens are smart, they will pair him with J.K. Dobbins for the next several years for a reasonable price. Edwards has the ability to be a workhorse but a healthy dose of his performance within a diverse running back group works wonders. The future needs to be an Edwards-Dobbins one-two punch.

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