Ravens Week 2 Stock Report: Lamar Jackson’s big game isn’t enough
By Jake Lippman
Mike Davis and Kenyan Drake, RB, Ravens (Trending Down)
Running backs Mike Davis and Kenyan Drake both joined the Ravens this offseason as veterans who were expected to contribute while running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins heal. What was thought to be a good solution has so far fallen short.
Whether or not the Ravens’ run game has been faltering due to the Ravens’ offensive line is a different story. The Ravens running backs have not produced and it is clear. The pair combined for 11 carries and 12 yards.
The big play came on the opening drive — a six-yard run by Kenyan Drake. The veteran, playing against one of his former teams, seemed primed to have a breakout game within the offense after that run. But, after that run, the rest of the results were not good.
Head coach John Harbaugh’s reaction to this was playing the nearly-cut Justice Hill more snaps. Hill, a fourth-year veteran, competed this summer to make the team. The Ravens had such little faith in Hill and practice squad running back and sixth-round pick Tyler Badie that they signed Davis.
Davis, a veteran in his eighth season, has 18 touchdowns in his career. Through two games this season, Davis has 15 yards. Drake, the veteran of six seasons, has 36 career touchdowns. He can get a temporary pass as he is adjusting to the offense, but things must change.
Multiple times, running backs had open lanes, inside and outside. The wrong cuts were made and the right cuts were sometimes ignored. This includes Hill, who had a walk-in touchdown but ran right into a defender instead.
A team that prides itself as a run-first offense will need more production from its running backs. The offensive line needs to inspire confidence and this team needs to get back to its grassroots.
As the Ravens prepare for Week 3 against the New England Patriots, they must focus on improving this aspect of the game. They cannot afford to wait patiently for Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins to return and must find production.