The Baltimore Ravens have all the pieces in place to have an effective rushing attack in 2019. Breaking down the components and how they can be deployed.
Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens hope to take a big step forward offensively in the 2019 NFL season. The team added several pieces to enhance the offensive side of the ball heading into the new year. With a strong offensive line, a plethora of running backs and an insanely athletic quarterback, Baltimore is in prime position to succeed on the ground. A crowded backfield is good news for the run game.
Despite taking wide receiver Marquise Brown in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Ravens still have a ways to go in the passing game. Still, the weapons available make for an interesting offense. There are proven veterans and hopeful youth in the backfield with a team of road-pavers up front.
Jackson enters the season as the starting quarterback after rushing for 695 yards as a rookie. He also added five touchdowns with his legs last season. Jackson managed to do all of this despite starting just seven regular-season games for Baltimore.
Behind their signal-caller, the Ravens made a splash in free agency by signing former New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram II. He joins a dynamic backfield in Baltimore as the probable bell cow. His versatility opened things up for the Saints and should do just the same for Baltimore.
His counterparts are familiar with the offense. Both Kenneth Dixon and Gus Edwards have shown flashes in their young careers. The draft brought in yet another running back that can contribute immediately in Justice Hill. The four will compete for playing time, but their styles will complement each other well.
Let’s go player-by-player through the Ravens 2019 rushing attack and see what role each player will occupy and, thus, what they bring to the table in Baltimore.
Note: For the sake of argument, we will focus on the skill players and not Lamar Jackson in the piece.