Ravens Already Speaking to One Free Agent, “Hopeful We Can Get Something Done”
Ravens Already Speaking to One Free Agent, “Hopeful We Can Get Something Done”
Justin Madubuike, Jadeveon Clowney, Kevin Zeitler, Geno Stone, Patrick Queen, Gus Edwards, and J.K. Dobbins are among the Baltimore Ravens’ players that will be eligible for free agency in the coming weeks. The pay cap ensures that a number of these players will not return for the upcoming season. While it’s unclear who will stay and who will leave, general manager Eric DeCosta is already fighting to retain at least one under-the-radar talent.
Justin Madubuike will return in 2024, since the team will employ the franchise tag if a long-term agreement cannot be reached. Everyone else can leave, but DeCosta wants to keep running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards in free agency.
“We’re still talking with Gus. “We’ll talk to J.K. — a couple of free agents that we had,” DeCosta said on the official website. “We’re hopeful that we can get something done with those guys.”
Ravens hope to keep J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards from reaching free agency.
This claim is fairly shocking, given that the Ravens are the betting favorites for Derrick Henry. Gus Edwards performed admirably in relief of the injured Dobbins, but one would expect him to want to depart in free agency. With Henry (or another big-name free agent) coming in, Edwards will have to compete with Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell for a limited number of touches.
What’s less shocking is that the team looks to prefer Gus Edwards over Dobbins in free agency. While Dobbins was an intriguing talent, the former second-round choice has been plagued by injuries since entering the game and may no longer have his old burst, despite Twitter workouts. DeCosta stated that he has previously spoken with Edwards but has not spoken with Dobbins, implying the general manager isn’t going to be too heartbroken if the former second-round pick walks.
Of course, there is a risk that this is just lip service. The Ravens don’t have enough money to sign all of their upcoming free agents, so why waste what little they do have on a backup running back? If Gus Edwards has even a little market in free agency, he will most likely leave for a larger workload.
Nobody will make Gus Edwards their unquestionable starter in free agency, but he may be a valuable asset in a two-backfield scheme. Derrick Henry does not split touches, but the other five teams may be interested in include him on their committee.
Best Team Fits
Alexander Mattison was released Wednesday, leaving a gaping void at the top of the Minnesota Vikings’ depth chart. Mattison performed admirably in place of Dalvin Cook in short samples, but the running back was unable to handle a full workload and finished the season as one of the least efficient players at the position. With so many other holes on the roster, the Vikings may not be able to commit much in a running back. With this in mind, Gus Edwards makes perfect sense as a low-cost free agent signing.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are poised to release Austin Ekeler in free agency, and Gus Edwards might fill the vacancy. At his peak, Ekeler was one of the league’s most dangerous dual-threat backs, but age caught up with him in 2024. Edwards lacks the hands to dominate the passing game, but he has the size and muscular running style to be an effective short-yardage back. Jim Harbaugh enjoys being physical and running the ball, and Edwards is an excellent fit for his style of play.
After leading the league in touchdowns in 2022, the New Orleans Saints hired Jamaal Williams as the offense’s primary goal-line and short-yardage back. That did not happen, as the former Detroit Lion regressed significantly, averaging just 2.9 yards per carry and scoring only one score. With third-round selection Kendre Miller struggling, the Saints may need to sign an inexpensive running back to help Alvin Kamara. Gus Edwards, a 6′-1″, 238-pound running back, is a cost-effective choice for free agency. He excels at gaining yards in tight spaces.
Veteran running back James Conner had another strong season for Arizona last year, but the former third-round pick isn’t getting any younger. The squad might use some extra reinforcements at the position, but with so many other needs on the roster, they could instead go to an inexpensive player like Gus Edwards in free agency. With a weak running back draft class, the Cardinals may opt to let these two veterans handle starting duties for the coming season.
De’Von Achane is an incredibly fast runner who is impossible to catch in the open field. However, he is undersized for the position and not designed for short-yardage work. Gus Edwards is a good battering ram and might be the perfect complement to Achane’s lightning. With those two and Raheem Mostert, the Dolphins will have a running back capable of playing every position on the roster.
Get more related news on https://sportviewers.com
Leave a Reply