Why a RB-by-committee could work for the Ravens in 2025
Why a RB-by-committee could work for the Ravens in 2025 Derrick Henry is out of this universe, but the Ravens could benefit from a RB-by-committee approach in 2025.
Everyone has done it at some point. We have all debated the NFL game. We have all obsessed over strategy. It's easy to throw on our imaginary Baltimore Ravens coaching caps and scream instructions from the couch in a temperature-controlled environment.
Each time we do so, we arrive at the same lesson. Eric DeCosta doesn't ask us for advice on how to run the team. John Harbaugh and his staff never call us to discuss play calling. But, alas... None of that has ever lessened our desire to offer an unsolicited opinion.
That doesn't mean we're uninformed. Football is a less complicated game than we make it. The passing game sets up a draw handoff. The screen is designed to combat the blitz. The rushing attack sets up the play-action pass, and yes, friends... Running games travel well in bad weather.
Adding Derrick Henry to a Ravens offensive attack already featuring Lamar Jackson proved to be deadly. During the 2024-25 NFL season, Baltimore led the NFL in rushing yards (3,189) and yards per carry (5.8).
They also led the NFL in rushing attempts that gained 20 yards or more. They enjoyed 29 of those, and they tied the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals for first place in rushing attempts that exceeded 40 yards. Each team had seven. Lamar and Derrick were quite the tandem, but Baltimore discovered they had a diamond on the roster in the form of Justice Hill.
In 15 regular-season games, Hill tallied 228 yards and a 4.9 yards-per-carry average on 47 attempts. He's partially the reason for the following question. Should the Ravens exercise a committee approach in 2025?
Why a committee approach for the Ravens' backfield may not be the best play
It's hard, on the surface, to buy into any game plan that requires Derrick Henry to be given the ball less often. Just typing, reading the words, or saying them out loud seems asinine.
The King's first season in Baltimore was the second most productive of what is already a Pro Football Hall of Fame-worthy career. He notched the second-highest rushing total of his career. He finished second only to Saquon Barkley while tacking on another Pro Bowl nod, his fifth. He also earned a Second-Team All-Pro nomination.
King Henry is a threat to hit a home run from anywhere on the field. He's dangerous and downright scary any time he touches the football, and even if he doesn't, opposing defenses must be wary of him and account for him at all times. That sounds like a good enough reason never to take him off the field, right?
But here's the thing. There's always a temptation to wonder if guys we don't know as well can shoulder a bigger load and perform well when asked to do more. The Ravens don't have that problem. They have two other potential game-changers who can spare The King to keep him fresh all season.
Their presence makes it easy to argue that a little 'addition by subtraction' could pay dividends later. Their presence leads us to believe a committee approach may not be a bad thing.
The argument for a committee approach in the Ravens' backfield
So, how might this committee idea benefit The Flock? It's pretty simple. A well-rested Henry spells trouble for any team lining up vs. Baltimore during the postseason. The Ravens have the horses, guys who can shoulder the load while providing the proverbial (and literal) change of pace.
The aforementioned Justice Hill put together a strong season when asked to relieve the top man on Baltimore's depth chart. In addition to what he added as a rusher, he chipped in as the Ravens' fifth-leading receiver, snagging 51 receptions and tallying 383 yards and a 9.1 yards-per-reception average.
Three of Hill's touchdowns last season were scored as a receiver, but Henry and Hill alone do not make a backfield committee. For that, third-year Raven Keaton Mitchell must be added. He is expected to enjoy an expanded role this season.
Mitchell is the speedster of this bunch if the ACL tear suffered during Week 15 of his rookie season is entirely behind him. He missed most of the most recent Ravens campaign after beginning the march on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list, but it was clear he wasn't 100% healthy upon his return and activation in Week 10.
He won't get the ball much as Baltimore will favor Henry and Hill, but if Mitchell is ready to go in 2025, everyone should fear the Ravens forevermore. He was recently named a breakout candidate. If that theory proves to be accurate, he provides Lamar Jackson with another weapon and all but ensures what we already know.
The Ravens have an excellent chance to lead the NFL in rushing again. Then, when the temperature drops, an already dominant running game can help catapult Baltimore into football's biggest game and another shot at their third Lombardi trophy. Now, wouldn't that be quite the sight to see?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Report: Jalen Ramsey has Rams 'on his radar as a potential option' if traded
Now that the calendar has flipped to June, the Miami Dolphins are much more likely to trade Jalen Ramsey at some point soon. A post-June 1 trade is feasible financially for the Dolphins, whereas trading him in the past few months would've cost them much more on the salary cap in 2025. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler shared an update on Ramsey's situation during an appearance on 'SportsCenter' Sunday and he reiterated that the Los Angeles Rams are a viable landing spot. Advertisement According to Fowler, Ramsey has the Rams 'on his radar as a potential option,' though there hasn't been any movement yet. 'The LA Rams, Ramsey's old team, is on his radar as a potential option. Nothing moving there as of yet. He should have a new team this fall,' Fowler said. As for the timeline of when the Dolphins could move the All-Pro cornerback, Fowler says they're expected to trade him in the coming days and weeks. 'The expectation is that Ramsey will be traded in the coming days and weeks,' Fowler said. 'They can save about $10 million on their salary cap if they do so. That is not the issue. He's got $24 million guaranteed. That is the major issue here. Teams have been a little spooked by that.' Advertisement In Sean McVay's latest update on the matter, he said the Rams and Dolphins haven't had any 'meaningful, tangible dialogue' lately, seemingly putting a deal on the backburner for L.A. 'But that can always change pretty quickly as you know,' he said, adding that the Rams 'certainly haven't closed the door' on a deal. 'There are a lot of layers with something of that magnitude when you're talking about the caliber of the player, the compensation that they're looking for in return, what does that look like in terms of how they want to handle what he's actually due?' McVay said. 'Obviously, we love Jalen. We know Jalen intimately. There would be some things that we would need to be able to do if that was going to be a direction that we went.' It seems this situation is in wait-and-see mode but a resolution could come in the next days or weeks, as Fowler mentioned. This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Jalen Ramsey has Rams 'on his radar' in potential trade
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Look: Jalen Ramsey was in LA working out with Eric Weddle's son at USC
Jalen Ramsey and Eric Weddle won a Super Bowl together with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, going on an unforgettable playoff run after the former All-Pro safety came out of retirement for the final stretch. Weddle has since retired again but Ramsey remains one of the best defensive backs in football, and he's looking for a new team. Ramsey has been back in Los Angeles recently and on Thursday, he reunited with his fellow Super Bowl champion. Advertisement Ramsey linked up with Weddle for a workout with his son, Gaige, who's in high school and getting recruited to some big college programs. They hit the practice field on USC's campus, taking this photo together after their session. Ramsey shared Gaige's post and wrote, 'Can't wait to see you keep ballin!' Ramsey is still a member of the Miami Dolphins but he skipped mandatory minicamp while the team attempts to trade the All-Pro cornerback. He still considers Los Angeles home and spends time on the West Coast, which has fueled rumors about the possibility of the Rams bringing him back. While he awaits his fate on the trade market, Ramsey will continue putting in work in Los Angeles – and maybe he'll get to stay there long-term again. This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Jalen Ramsey in LA training with ex-Rams safety Eric Weddle's son
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Josh Jacobs Named to NFL's ‘Bad Luck' List Due to Team Penalties
Josh Jacobs Named to NFL's 'Bad Luck' List Due to Team Penalties originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Green Bay Packers saw great things with Josh Jacobs in just one season and are hoping for more in the upcoming campaign. Advertisement Jacobs became an integral part of the team's offense, playing all 17 games and helping Green Bay reach the postseason. The former Las Vegas Raiders back tallied an impressive 1,329 rushing yards on 301 attempts, achieving the second-best yards total in his career. He also scored 15 rushing touchdowns, the most he's ever had in six seasons, showing he is a valuable component on the field for quarterback Jordan Love to hand off to or throw to. Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8).Eric Hartline-Imagn Images However, he could have had even better stats last season if his team hadn't cost him so much during games. An NFL report arrived on Friday the 13th, which some believe is an unlucky day on the calendar. Based on the NFL's data, Jacobs led the league in a "bad luck" stat last season. Advertisement The star running back had the most rushing yards negated by penalties, 94, although that isn't necessarily Jacobs' fault, as Packers teammates were also responsible. He also had three touchdowns taken away due to penalties, tied for the most in the NFL. It's also worth noting that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Johnson was right behind Jacobs with 87 rushing yards negated by penalties. Despite the unfortunate stat hindrance, Jacobs still had a healthy and significant season in his Packers debut, finishing fifth amongst running backs for total rushing yards last season. Let's not forget, he also caught 36 passes for 342 receiving yards and a touchdown. His skills after a catch were on full display in a highlight against the Dolphins on Sunday Night Football. The good news is there's a new season ahead, with the Packers ready to push beyond than the Wild Card Playoffs. Advertisement In his seventh NFL season, a talented and powerful back like Jacobs could perform better than he did in 2024. However, his teammates should really cut down on those penalties to help him progress in Green Bay. Related: Packers Receiver Gives Answer Fans Wanted Before Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
