[brid autoplay=”true” video=”858053″ player=”23231″ title=”10%20bold%20predictions%20for%202021%20NFL%20season” duration=”223″ description=”The 2021 NFL season is slated to get started Thursday when Tom Brady and the reigning champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Dallas Cowboys. Both teams hope to be in the championship conversation in 2021. For Dallas, that will have to include Dak Prescott remaining healthy.Another season that will certainly be defined somewhat by the pandemic also includes a number of young players set to make their marks. This includes second-year quarterback Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow attempting to take that next step. These are among the individuals and teams we look at in giving you our 10 bold predictions for the 2021 NFL season.” uploaddate=”2021-09-06″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/858053_t_1630956328.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/858053.mp4″]
The Baltimore Ravens’ backfield was dealt another blow on Monday with news that youngster Justice Hill suffered a torn Achilles and will miss the entire 2021 season.
This comes on the heels of star back J.K. Dobbins suffering a season-ending injury himself during the preseason. It also couldn’t come at a worse time with Baltimore slated to open its regular season against the Las Vegas Raiders in a week.
Right now, Gus Edwards is slated to be the top back. The Ravens also brought in veterans Le’Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman in for workouts on Monday. They are among the top options for the Baltimore Ravens. Below, we break down four possibilities.
Baltimore Ravens sign Todd Gurley
Baltimore brought in this former NFL Offensive Player of the Year for a work out during the summer. Interestingly enough, nothing came to a culmination on this end. Gurley, 27, might be a shell of his former self. He’s also dealing with knee issues.
Click here for our Baltimore Ravens 2021 season preview
With that said, he seems to be a perfect fit in Greg Roman’s offense. That’s especially true given Gurley’s pass-catching ability. He’s hauled in an average of 41 catches throughout his six-year career. For comparison’s sake, Edwards has 18 catches in three NFL seasons.
Baltimore Ravens sign Adrian Peterson
It’s somewhat surprising that Peterson remains unsigned given what we’ve seen from him even at his advanced age. The 36-year-old back is averaging 1,000 total yards over the past three seasons at a clip of 4.5 yards per touch. He’s also scored 20 touchdowns during that span.
Whether the future Hall of Famer is a fit in Baltimore remains to be seen. He’s no longer a dual-threat back (49 catches past three seasons). That could be an issue.
Baltimore Ravens sign Le’Veon Bell
As noted above, Baltimore brought Bell in for a work out on Monday. Wouldn’t it be a thing if the former Pittsburgh Steelers star returned to the AFC North after his ugly departure from Steeltown?
Click here to find out where the Baltimore Ravens stand in our Week 1 NFL power rankings
In terms of a potential fit, Bell has that dual-threat ability I have been harping on here. From 2013-17 with Pittsburgh he averaged a whopping 62 catches. Even then, the lack of production we’ve seen from Bell in two seasons since leaving the Steelers has to be concerning for interested teams.
Baltimore Ravens sign Frank Gore
This almost makes too much sense. The “Inconvenient Truth” continues to disprove father time, playing at a high level into his late 30’s. Over the course of the past six seasons since leaving the San Francisco 49ers, Gore is averaging north of 1,000 total yards while averaging 4.4 yards per touch. He’s doing things this late in his career that we have never seen from a running back.
Making matters more interesting is the fact that Gore starred under Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman in San Francisco from 2011-14. That span saw the future Hall of Famer average north of 1,300 total yards and eight touchdowns. Perhaps, this reunion could make the most sense for Baltimore.