Ravens listed as a potential trade destination for RB Marlon Mack

Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack is reportedly on the market, and the words “available top running back” should automatically pique the Baltimore Ravens‘ interest.

One day after the Colts and Mack agreed to seek a trade, many teams in the league are preparing to pounce on the fifth-year running back.

Whereas the Colts have too much talent in their running back room, the Ravens could use a talented veteran like Mack.

Even after acquiring Latavius Murray, Devonta Freeman, and Le’Veon Bell, the Ravens may not be done adding players to their backfield. More specifically, they may not be done adding productive players to their backfield, and Marlon Mack fits the bill.

A fourth-round pick in 2017, the South Florida product has steadily upped his rushing yardage from his rookie year in Indianapolis.

In 2017, he recorded 358 yards on 93 carries, in 2018 he recorded 908 yards on 195 carries, and in 2019 he finally reached that coveted 1,000-yard rushing season.

He’s no stranger to red zone production either, as he has rushed for 20 touchdowns in his career.

Mack tore his Achilles before the 2020 season, so his ceiling has been slightly lowered going into 2021. This season, Mack has featured in just one game for the Colts, posting 16 yards on five carries in a Week 2 loss.

The Ravens could consider trading for Colts’ running back Marlon Mack

Still, there’s no question that Mack would be an upgrade to the aging trio of Murray, Freeman, and Bell, though we wouldn’t project him taking the No. 1 running back spot from Ty’Son Williams.

Given how much the Ravens have spread touches in the backfield, there really isn’t a “No. 1” spot anyway.

The more grappling question: is Mack worth the draft capital it would take to acquire him?

With several other running-back-bereft teams possibly vying for Mack, the Ravens would likely have to give up a Day 3 pick. Baltimore has the draft capital to make such a move, but whether it’s a good move is more difficult to tell.

As stated earlier, Baltimore seems intent on sharing ball-carrying duties among three or four backs in 2021. If they were to bring Mack on, it seems like a waste to just add one more player in the RB rotation.

On the other hand, a running back duo of Williams and Mack would almost certainly elevate the Ravens’ running game and take some pressure off Lamar Jackson.

That is, assuming Mack stays healthy after his Achilles injury.

We think the jury’s still out on this one, and it’s ultimately up to general manager Eric DeCosta to decide whether Baltimore’s running backs room needs the extra help.

With the Ravens’ injury luck so far, maybe a little padded insurance wouldn’t hurt.