Ravens: Ty’Son Williams needs to be a focal point of the offense

Ty’Son Williams was a dud in the Baltimore Ravens game against the Detroit Lions in Week 3, but don’t blame the running back. Blame the offensive gameplan.

Williams was primed to take the No. 1 running back position in 2021, with veterans Latavius Murray and Devonta Freeman brought on to mix in behind him. At least that’s what we thought.

After the Ravens’ narrow win against Detroit, Baltimore’s running game — or lack thereof — is completely baffling.

Williams rushed just five times for 22 yards and couldn’t haul in his only target. Murray outran him with 28 yards on seven carries; Freeman also got touches and finished with eight yards on three carries.

But Williams has looked and played the part of the Ravens’ most productive ball-carrier this season, and he should get the most touches in the Ravens’ backfield. It’s as simple as that.

There’s no reason for Baltimore to spread the ball around the running back room, not when their backups are Murray and Freeman.

No knock on them, but Williams possesses a lot more upside, much fresher legs, and generally embodies a more dominant force in the running game.

Ravens RB Ty’Son Williams needs to get more involved in the offense

Maybe if this was a single-game occurrence, we wouldn’t be so worried. But sharing the ball among their running backs seems to be the trend of the Ravens’ offense this year.

In Week 1’s loss to the Raiders, Williams only ran the ball two times in the second half, though he finished with 65 yards and a touchdown.

When asked why Williams got limited carries in the second half that game, Baltimore’s offensive coordinator Greg Roman told reporters:

"“We’re not going to put one [running] back in there and have him play the whole game – those days are over, really. We’re going to rotate guys in and out and try to keep them as fresh as we can. Ty’Son did a really good job, as we expected he would, as did the other [running] backs based on the opportunities.”"

We wonder if Roman would have said the same thing if J.K. Dobbins or Gus Edwards were starting.

Obviously, Williams doesn’t have Dobbins’ or Edwards’ talent or potential. He has, however, worked extremely hard to get to this point (mind you, his mother is a 20-year Army veteran), and by a pure stroke of fate, he has a momentous opportunity that could change his whole career.

Baltimore would be committing a crime to take that away from Ty’Son Williams, especially since he’s done absolutely nothing to disappoint this Ravens team so far.

The Ravens may be erring on the safe side to make sure Williams doesn’t get injured this season, but their caution, distrust, timidity, or whatever keeps them from playing Williams is currently costing them.

They beat the Lions by a hair. Next time, they won’t be so lucky.