The Baltimore Ravens moved to No. 1 in the NFL power rankings after last Sunday’s blowout victory over the Detroit Lions. With the NFL trade deadline just days out, there are now swirling Ravens trade rumors about a potential deal that could be made by Tuesday.
Baltimore already has the resume of a Super Bowl contender. With one of the NFL’s best defenses and an offense that finally put everything together in Week 7, the Ravens are ascending. However, there is still room to improve the roster.
- Baltimore Ravens rushing stats: 145 rushing yards per game (3rd in NFL), 8.6 rushing first downs per game (2nd in NFL), 4.4 yards per carry (8th in NFL), 51.45% rushing rate (2nd in NFL)
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Drops have been a major issue for the Ravens’ receiving corps this season and its wealth of talent at running back took a sizable hit after the J.K. Dobbins injury. On the other side of the ball, the defense would certainly benefit from adding a premium pass rusher. However, there seems to be some more focus on one position.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported on Saturday that the Ravens are looking to add a running back. While Baltimore likes how Gus Edwards and Justice Hill have performed, the front office and coaching staff still see room for improvement at the position.
Edwards is coming off his best game of the season. Against Detroit, the 6-foot-1 running back turned 14 carries into 64 rushing yards and a score with an 80-yard play tacked on via a catch-and-run. Only 28 years old, Edwards has averaged 5 yards per carry in his career.
Hill has also been an effective part of Baltimore’s committee backfield. Entering NFL games today, Hill is averaging 4.8 yards per carry on 41 attempts with three rushing touchdowns. He’s also tacked on 11 receptions for 27 receiving yards.
Related: NFL defense rankings, Baltimore Ravens rise
A blockbuster trade for either running back Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley is highly unlikely. The New York Giants have made it clear Barkley isn’t moving and the Titans’ front office reportedly doesn’t like Henry’s trade value around the league.
While Russini didn’t mention any specific targets, there are several NFL teams around the league who could be sellers ahead of the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline. New York Jets running back Dalvin Cook is available and someone like Atlanta Falcons offensive weapon Cordarrelle Patterson could be an option.
