The Ravens signing Le’Veon Bell doesn’t mean they’re getting a superstar in the backfield but the veteran running back can add value to the offense.
When the Baltimore Ravens let Mark Ingram walk, they were confident in their backfield. But since second-year stud J.K. Dobbins went down with a torn Achilles and Justice Hill then suffered a torn ACL, the outlook for that group has taken a turn for the worse over the past couple of weeks leading up to the start of the 2021 NFL season. Enter Le’Veon Bell.
After working out Bell and DeVonta Freeman on Monday, Baltimore has agreed to a deal with the former, bringing him onto the practice squad, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The expectation, however, is that the 29-year-old veteran will be promoted to the 53-man roster once he’s ready to take the field.
Bell was once a superstar with an AFC North rival of the Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, since holding out for the entirety of the 2018 season, he’s failed to show that same form after stints with the Jets and Chiefs.
Make no mistake, Baltimore isn’t getting the prime version of Le’Veon Bell. And don’t expect him to take over as the lead back from Gus Edwards now. However, that doesn’t mean the veteran can’t add serious value to the offense.
Le’Veon Bell has an obvious and valuable role with the Baltimore Ravens
In addition to simply adding depth to a position group which the Ravens like to have plenty of bodies, Bell can be a receiving weapon out of the backfield that truly helps Lamar Jackson and company.
With the mobility of Jackson, having checkdown options is pivotal. It’s one of the reasons Mark Andrews has been a relatively consistent fantasy football option over the years. And it’s also a reason people were so high on Dobbins as a breakout candidate in 2021. Having said that, Edwards doesn’t exactly provide that.
Over his three seasons with Baltimore, Edwards has fewer than 20 total receptions to his credit compared to over 400 carries. He’s an effective runner but it’s clear they don’t see him as a pass-catching option out of the backfield.
In his prime, Bell thrived in that role for Pittsburgh. While he may not have the same juice as a patient, slicing runner, he can still get out into space in the flats and provide the Ravens offense a weapon in those areas of the field that, without Dobbins on the active roster, they simply don’t have.
Don’t expect Le’Veon Bell to completely revolutionize the offense. Any chance of that happening lies with the receivers taking a big step forward. With that said, signing the veteran running back indeed gives Baltimore something they need on offense this season.