The Baltimore Ravens worked out three veteran running backs this week: Le’Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman, and Elijah Holyfield. This comes after the Ravens lost J.K. Dobbins to a season-ending knee injury last week.
Bell is a two-time Pro Bowler who has rushed for over 1,000 yards in five of his seven NFL seasons. He was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, but he remains a productive back.
Freeman is another former Pro Bowler who has rushed for over 1,000 yards in four of his eight NFL seasons. He was released by the Atlanta Falcons last season, but he had a solid season with the New York Giants in 2021.
Holyfield is a former seventh-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings. He has not played in the NFL since 2021, but he had a productive rookie season with the Carolina Panthers.
It is unclear which of these three players the Ravens are most interested in. Bell is the most experienced and accomplished back of the group, but he is also the oldest. Freeman is a good all-around back who can catch the ball out of the backfield, but he has had some injury problems in recent years. Holyfield is the youngest and most athletic of the group, but he is also the least experienced.
The Ravens are expected to make a decision on which running back to sign in the coming days. They will likely sign one of these three players, or they could also look to trade for a running back.
In addition to these three players, the Ravens also have Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, and Melvin Gordon in their running back room. Edwards is coming back from a torn ACL, but he is expected to be ready for the start of the season. Hill is a smaller back who can be used as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Gordon is a veteran back who has struggled with injuries in recent years, but he still has the potential to be a productive player.
Ravens are taking a look at some veteran RBs today. Along with Kenyan Drake, Ronald Jones and James Robinson are in for workouts, per sources.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 20, 2023
The Ravens have a number of options at the running back position, but they are still looking to add more depth after the loss of Dobbins. It will be interesting to see which of these three players they sign, or if they make a move for a different running back.
My Thoughts
I think the Ravens are wise to be looking for additional depth at the running back position after losing Dobbins. All three of the players they worked out this week have the potential to be productive backs, and each one has different strengths and weaknesses.
Bell is the most experienced and accomplished back of the group, but he is also the oldest. He is still a good player, but he is not the same back he was in his prime. He would be a good fit for the Ravens if they are looking for a veteran back who can come in and start right away.
Freeman is a good all-around back who can catch the ball out of the backfield. He is not as explosive as Bell, but he is a more reliable back. He would be a good fit for the Ravens if they are looking for a back who can be a factor in both the running and passing games.
Holyfield is the youngest and most athletic of the group, but he is also the least experienced. He has the potential to be a breakout player, but he is also a risk. He would be a good fit for the Ravens if they are looking for a young back who can develop into their future starter.
Ultimately, the best decision for the Ravens will depend on their specific needs and what they are looking for in a running back. If they are looking for a veteran who can come in and start right away, Bell is the best option. If they are looking for a good all-around back who can be a factor in both the running and passing games, Freeman is the best option. If they are looking for a young back who can develop into their future starter, Holyfield is the best option.
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