The Baltimore Ravens have built a contending team on the back of the strongest ground game in the league. The threat of Lamar Jackson taking off on the ground has helped the Ravens consistently rank among the best rushing teams in the league.
Jackson has had solid running backs during his time, but it’s not unreasonable to say an aging Mark Ingram standing out as the best of the bunch leaves some meat on the bone. After signing Derrick Henry, John Harbaugh is going all-in on building the league’s most effective running back room.
Henry will take the lion’s share of the responsibility for improving the Ravens’ running game, but a stable of backups most run-first teams would kill to have makes this offense even more deadly. Baltimore’s running game will strike fear in the hearts of the rest of the AFC.
Pro Football Focus ranked the Ravens as the best running back room in the league. In addition to Henry coming into the fold to kick things up a notch, PFF seems to be very enticed by the potential of speed demon Keaton Mitchell. If he becomes the No. 2 running back, the Ravens could have a nigh unstoppable combination on their hands.
.@_KeatonMitchell picking up where he left off❗❗❗
Tune in on FOX pic.twitter.com/8QaaVoimv3
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 12, 2023
Baltimore Ravens ranked as best RB room in NFL
Henry has led the NFL in carries during four of the last five seasons, but he has managed to churn out 1,000-yard seasons (and one 2,000-yard campaign) despite being surrounded by largely poor offensive lines. The Ravens are taking a risk due to his age, but Henry is still a quality power back.
The Ravens have quality depth behind him despite losing Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins to former OC Greg Roman and the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. Mitchell has shown high-end speed, and the always-underrated Justice Hill made some big plays when his number was called.
The Ravens have a developmental prospect with a nose for the end zone in fifth-round pick Rasheen Ali. If the Marshall star shows the same breakaway speed and open-field elusiveness he did in college, Baltimore’s strong ground game will once again rule the roost across the rest of the league.
Baltimore’s wide receiver room is better than it has been in recent years, but this team is going to win based on pounding the rock. Henry is good enough to lead the league in rushing, but he has enough support to where he won’t have to shoulder too strenuous a burden.