The Ravens have a crowded backfield as soon as once more after signing RB Melvin Gordon to a one-year deal on Friday. Listed here are three causes the addition of the veteran operating again is sensible.
Insurance coverage coverage
It has been predicted for a while that Baltimore would add one other operating again to the combo with a few of the uncertainty surrounding J.Okay. Dobbins and Gus Edwards after neither participant has participated with the staff this offseason. The 2 operating backs have missed a mixed 51 games over previous two seasons as nicely.
The Ravens nonetheless have RB Justice Hill within the group, however the addition of Gordon additional proves they will not be fast to throw Dobbins and Edwards again into motion throughout coaching camp coming off severe accidents.
Low cost deal
Baltimore signed Gordon to an inexpensive contract value as much as $3.1 million, which seemingly means it is decrease in ensures. If Dobbins and Edwards are in a position to get totally wholesome by the beginning of the season, they’re going to see the vast majority of carries, lowering the probability that Gordon would meet a few of his incentives and recoup the contract’s full value.
Though it might be shocking if Gordon did not make the Ravens’ 53-man roster, the deal does not essentially make him a roster lock. Baltimore has sometimes carried 4 operating backs on its roster but when the staff plans to ramp up the cross assault, Gordon may grow to be a roster casualty.
Gordon gives a veteran presence with out creating any form of monetary handcuff for the staff.
Not the long-term alternative
Gordon is now 30, which is fairly previous in operating again years within the NFL. Final season, he was minimize by the Broncos midseason and could not get off the Chiefs’ apply squad. He additionally had simply 318 yards and two touchdowns on the bottom in 2022.
If the Ravens start to have severe issues about Dobbins, there are significantly better choices nonetheless obtainable in free company, akin to Dalvin Cook dinner and Ezekiel Elliott. So, it might be very shocking if Baltimore had been to interchange Dobbins with Gordon if that state of affairs arises.
