On the first drive during the last Preseason game for the Ravens, Lamar Jackson checked down to J.K dobbins for a two-yard gain. That resulted in a season ending injury for the second year running back. An absolutely crushing blow to the Ravens and to Dobbins, who had been lighting it up at training camp, constantly getting praise from coaches and teammates alike. A year removed from leading the NFL in yards per carry as a rookie, Dobbins was poised to have a breakout season; but the unfortunate injury will keep him sidelined all year. Dobbins will have to watch as his team attempts to make a Super Bowl run without him.
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Enter Gus Edwards
Anytime a team loses a starting player for the entire year, it can adversely affect how a team can move forward in replacing that player. Especially during the last game of the Preseason where the roster is mostly figured out. Losing Dobbins is surely a big loss, but it may not be as big of a loss as people may think. The Ravens have implemented a unique running game due to their Quarterback who puts so much pressure on opposing teams. Since Jackson has taken over as the Quarterback, the Ravens have led the league in rushing by a wide margin. During that time, the Ravens have used multiple running backs to achieve that crown. One of those running backs is Edwards who over the last three seasons is one of only two running backs in the NFL who has gained at least 700 yards rushing, and over 5 yards a carry. The only other one is Nick Chubb, who is the featured back in Cleveland.
Ravens fans can and should lament the loss of Dobbins, but have continued confidence in the rushing attack going forward. It would be a surprise to me, if the Ravens were not a top five rushing team in the NFL. Pro Football Focus even had Edwards ranked as their fifth ranked Running Back last year. Ahead of Dobbins who was ranked 33rd. This isn’t a slight against Dobbins, because if Dobbins is healthy, the Ravens are an even more dynamic offense with his ability to out run the defense. The real question about this offense is if the passing game will be elevated to the next level. There is an argument to be made that the injury to Bateman is more detrimental to the development of Lamar and this offense, rather than the injury to Dobbins.
One common misconception of the Dobbins injury is his ability as a pass catcher when compared to Edwards. Last season, Dobbins was targeted 23 times for 18 receptions for only 120 yards along with 4 drops. Which resulted in a PFF grade of 46.2. Conversely, Edwards was targeted 11 times for 9 catches and 129 receiving yards, along with zero drops. Which resulted in a PFF receiving grade of 62.5. Neither PFF grade is particularly good, but the notion that Dobbins is significantly better in that respect is not true. Given, no one is expecting Edwards to turn into Alvin Kamara but the offense the Ravens run has never thrown to the Running Backs at a high rate during the Jackson era. Could the new backup Ty’Son Williams be the pass catcher on third downs? For what it’s worth, in the preseason, Williams was targeted 8 times for 8 receptions for a mere 37 yards, but also no drops.
No matter who is in the backfield for the 2021 Ravens, this offense will be judged based off of its ability to push the ball down the field and outside of the numbers. In 2020, when Jackson was passing to the outside right of the field, past 20 yards he was 2/14 for 59 yards with zero touchdowns to go along with one interception; which resulted in a QB rating of 14.9. No matter who the running back is, it wont solve a deficiency like that. The Ravens need the wide receivers to win one on one matchups on the boundary to make this offense harder to defend and less predictable. Which is why the injury to Bateman could be the detriment to this offense. Bateman was one of the best separators in College Football. A trait that Jackson needs badly for his development. The Ravens ranked last in receiving grade last season according to PFF. Bringing in a weapon like Bateman will surely help this offense. But the only questions remains, how long will Bateman be out and when will him and Lamar get on the same page once he actually does come back?
Ravens Flock will miss what Dobbins brings to the table, a dynamic one cut runner who can explode any time for a long run. One of the best Running Backs in Ohio State history and was also one of the best Running Backs in the NFL during his last eight games in 2020. I suspect we see Dobbins ready to go next year, and even more motivated to have a breakout season.
Edwards is quietly one of the most efficient Running Backs in the league; who can easily step in to an increased role and fill the current void. DeCosta believed in him so much that he gave him a two year, ten-million-dollar extension to keep him in Baltimore. The Ravens running attack will be fine, headed by the most dynamic Quarterback in the NFL and a Running Back who has proven he can be reliable when called upon to get the job done.
Don’t worry about the rushing attack. Starting next Monday Night vs. the Raiders, watch to see if the passing game shows signs of being ready to take the next needed steps.
Mirzet was born in Bosnia and raised in upstate NY. Mirzet became a huge fan of the ravens when he first moved to the country and has never looked back. Mirzet is also a former base data analyst at Pro Football Focus. Using advanced metrics and stats has always been a passion of his when discussing anything football-related. Salihovic also lived in Baltimore shortly after he went to college at SUNY Cortland, he currently resides in Utica, NY.