Ravens could steal a Packers running back to upgrade their backfield

The Ravens don't have too many roster holes to fill this offseason, but of the upgrades they do need to make, running back has got to be up near the top. During the 2023 season, their production from that spot was lacking: Lamar Jackson led the team in rushing yards (821), followed by Gus Edwards (810). After Edwards, the numbers fall off a cliff – Keaton Mitchell was the team's third-best rusher with only 396 yards.

For a team that prides themselves on a physical, aggressive ground game – until the AFC Championship game, at least – those running back stats leave quite a bit to be desired. It's why basically every free agent running back has been projected to be on their radar over the last couple weeks, with guys like the Titans' Derrick Henry and the Raiders' Josh Jacobs being talked about as potential additions.

The latest speculation comes via CBS Sports, where they recently wrote up a huge offseason free agent landing spot prediction piece. In it, they find an interesting name to head to Baltimore when free agency begins this March: Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillion. Here's what they had to say about it:

The supersized vet could have an increased role in Green Bay depending on Aaron Jones' future, but the latter has proven much more valuable. How about a return to his hometown Baltimore as a short-yardage option?

So, not a whole lot. Dillion, a four year vet, has been awfully productive as a part of the Packers' 1-2 punch with Jones over the last couple seasons. This past season, he appeared in 15 games, rushing for 613 yards and two touchdowns. They're not eye-popping numbers, but Dillion had way more productive seasons in 2022 and 2021, when he played in all 17 games; he missed two this year. In those two prior seasons, he was up at or near 800 yards, and scored 12 touchdowns combined.

And for what it's worth, the "vet" is only 25 years old, so it's not like his best playing days are behind him, even for a running back. The hometown angle makes perfect sense – he's from Baltimore originally, although he did spend most of his childhood growing up in Connecticut. Known for his bruising style of play, he'd fit right in with a Ravens team that prides themselves on exactly that. And considering some of the other star free agent running backs are either 1. older or 2. probably going to cost more money, Dillion could be the perfect value play for a Ravens team that has a ton of other contracts to handle this offseason.