After Latavius Murray’s release from the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, the Baltimore Ravens should be all in.
This is one of those moves that seem too good to make. Like when you land on a property you need in Monopoly, and all the other players are telling you to buy it, but you don’t trust them for some reason.
You might think they’re deceiving you somehow, that they’re using reverse psychology or they have another trick up their sleeve, but they really don’t.
Latavius Murray is up for grabs. The Ravens should sign him. Simple as that.
Following J.K. Dobbins’ and Justice Hill’s injuries, Baltimore thankfully has Gus Edwards to step up into the No. 1 running back role. Edwards, a fourth-year pro, is primed for a monster season as he was one of the league’s most efficient ball carriers even when he played second fiddle to Dobbins.
But behind Edwards, the Ravens have 2020 undrafted free agent Ty’Son Williams and the recently-signed Trenton Cannon and Le’Veon Bell.
The longtime Steelers’ running back was added to the practice squad, where he could be elevated to the active roster on game days.
Should Edwards go down with an injury, however, neither the Ravens running back depth would be running desperately thin again. Baltimore needs another running back, and as if a genie just granted their wish, Murray fell into their lap on Tuesday.
Latavius Murray is a Goldilocks-fit for the Baltimore Ravens in 2021
Murray is a seven-year pro who has just come off one of his most efficient seasons with 656 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 146 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
He had one Pro Bowl season in 2015 with Oakland when he rushed for over 1,000 yards, and at 310years-old, he won’t be doing that again, ever.
But Murray couldn’t be more perfect for this Ravens squad right now.
Dobbins should return in 2022, so all Baltimore needs is someone to fill his shoes for the time being. Edwards is the de facto pick, but Murray could be the ideal tandem back to rotate with Edwards and Williams, or he could serve as the plug-and-play third-down back.
Dobbins’ shoes, after all, were clown-sized, to say the least. Edwards is qualified enough to get the job done, but Edwards and Murray would stamp out any lingering doubts about Baltimore’s running back room heading into the season.
And for those lingering doubters wondering if Baltimore should indeed sign Murray, just check Twitter. Almost everybody with a football opinion says Murray to the Ravens is a no-brainer.
Just got off the phone w/ RB Latavius Murray. He told me, "I'm willing to discuss an opportunity with anyone interested in me. At the same time, Baltimore is a team that was impacted by injuries, has a great chance of winning & a great coaching staff. I just want to get to work."
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) September 7, 2021
Latavius Murray, like Mark Ingram before him, seems like a future Baltimore Raven. https://t.co/xu4af9mTbH
— Christopher Dunnells (@ChrisDunnells) September 7, 2021
Two teams that should call Latavius Murray -- now.
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) September 7, 2021
The #Ravens and #Dolphins
After losing J.K. Dobbins and Justice Hill to season-ending injuries, perhaps the Ravens will consider Latavius Murray. The Saints released Murray today, per the NFL's transaction wire.
— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) September 7, 2021
A brief word to the naysayers: many have compared Murray’s skill set to that of Bell’s given that both are aging, multi-year veterans of the league.
We’ll admit both running backs aren’t getting any younger, but choosing Bell over Murray is the wrong decision. Bell recorded 789 rushing yards just two years ago, but last season, he ran for 328 yards in 11 games with the Kansas City Chiefs and the NY Jets.
Also, he’s a former Steeler, and if Baltimore had the choice to pick between a player from a rival team and one that wasn’t?
Well, the answer’s pretty obvious.