Ravens have clear plan to replace JK Dobbins after RB joins Chargers

The Baltimore Ravens have been saying goodbye to a large chunk of their roster in 2024, as 15 players have now departed via free agency or trade. Running back JK Dobbins, in search of a team that would give him a chance after another serious injury, became the latest to leave.

Dobbins signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, becoming the fifth former Ravens to join former OC Greg Roman and executive Joe Hortiz in LA. Even with star Derrick Henry at the tip of the running back spear, the rest of Baltimore's depth chart can be classed as unimpressive.

The Ravens are all-in on Henry's ability to lead the charge on offense, but they need to prepare for the possibility of a 30-year-old running back taking a small step back. After losing so many names in the offseason and a lack of solid veterans out there to improve the roster in short order, Baltimore has only one option left.

With Dobbins and Gus Edwards both in Los Angeles and GM Eric DeCosta openly saying that it is likely Baltimore will select a running back in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Ravens now seem poised to add one of the better running backs in a draft largely considered weak at the position, yet fruitful in the middle rounds.

Ravens will likely draft RB to replace JK Dobbins

Justice Hill is as average and milquetoast as one could imagine a backup running back to be, and Baltimore could look to upgrade on him. While he showed flashes, Keaton Mitchell can't be relied on for much as he works his way back from a serious injury in his second season.

With Henry already providing as much power as any back in the league and Dobbins' big-play potential walking out the door, it would behoove the Ravens to target a back with speed and skill as a pass catcher over another one-cut power back like Henry.

If the Ravens want to wait until the middle rounds to do that, players like Tennessee's Jaylen Wright, Louisville's Issac Guerendo, and Oregon's Bucky Irving could all be worth targeting. Dobbins, when healthy, averaged 5.8 yards per carry. That production can't be easily replaced with a collection of UDFA dart throws.

While some PFF-brained individuals might shake their fists at the Ravens for investing so many resources into what has been deemed a less-than-important position, Baltimore knows that an effective ground game will be the cornerstone of the championship plan.