The Baltimore Ravens are making moves this Wednesday. After agreeing to sign Earl Thomas to a big contract, they’re also landing running back Mark Ingram.
Ian Rapoport noted the deal is a three-year contract worth $15 million.
Source: The #Ravens have now locked RB Mark Ingram on a 3-year deal worth $15M. @MikeSilver said it was coming yesterday. Just got done.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2019
What it means: Just as signing Thomas should do big things for Baltimore’s defense, the Ingram deal should provide the offense with a huge boost.
- Baltimore is completely revamping the offense this offseason to fit the unique skill set of second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson.
- Providing Jackson with a veteran back like Ingram fits right in line with the needs of the new offensive approach.
What Ingram brings to the table: The former Heisman Trophy winner has emerged in recent years as a premier power back who can also make plays in the passing game.
- Since 2013, Ingram has averaged no less than 4.3 yards per carry each season.
- Since that time, he’s tallied 4,931 yards on 1,043 carries, an average of 4.73 yards per tote.
- Additionally, Ingram has hauled in 211 receptions for 1,531 yards and five touchdowns.
- Better still, despite his age (29), Ingram has shouldered a relatively light workload for most of his career and still has plenty left in the tank.
What the offense will look like: Ingram joins second-year star Gus Edwards in the same backfield as Jackson, who is one of the most exciting dual-threat quarterbacks in the league today.
Here’s a look at what all three players did on the ground last year:
- Ingram: 645 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and six touchdowns
- Edwards: 718 yards (5.2 yards per carry) and two touchdowns
- Jackson: 695 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and five touchdowns
Put it all together and that’s quite a potent backfield.
Look for offensive coordinator Greg Roman — known for his exotic running schemes, and for his work with mobile quarterbacks — to put together a run-centric scheme this year that will methodically wear down defenses. He will stress linebackers with stretch plays, screens and misdirection, forcing them to cover every inch from sideline to sideline.