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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
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glenn erby

7 running back the Ravens could target in free agency

The Ravens have several pressing needs this off-season, but one exciting position to watch will be running back, where three players (Melvin Gordon, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards) could all move on in free agency.

Baltimore could add a player in the draft, but if they want to make a splashy or value signing at the start of next week’s free-agent period, GM Eric DeCosta has plenty of big-named options to target.

We’re considering ten running backs Baltimore could target with the new league year fast approaching.

Mohamed Ibrahim

Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) passes the ball to running back Mohamed Ibrahim (33) against the New York Giants during the first half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.

Ibrahim was placed on the Lions’ practice squad injured list in October due to a hip issue. As a rookie, he played in one game for Detroit during the 2023 campaign and logged six snaps on special teams.

In his last season at Minnesota, Ibrahim earned First Team All-Big Ten and Second Team All-American honors after rushing for 1,665 yards and 20 touchdowns over 12 games. He broke multiple school records over his college career, including most career rushing yards (4,668) and career rushing touchdowns (53).

Alexander Mattison

Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (2) runs the ball against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Mattison, the replacement for Dalvin Cook, could not lead the Vikings rushing attack.

The 2023 campaign was Mattison’s fifth season with the Vikings and first as the team’s starter at running back. Mattison started 13 out of 16 games played in 2023, recording 700 yards on 180 rush attempts (3.9 yards per carry), but did not score a rushing touchdown.

He added 30 receptions for 192 yards and three scores on a career-high 44 targets.

Antonio Gibson

LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 21: Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Commanders carries the ball as Josh Ross #51 of the Baltimore Ravens defends during the first half of the preseason game at FedExField on August 21, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Gibson finished 2023 with 65 carries for 265 yards, a touchdown, 48 catches for 389 yards, and two touchdowns on 59 targets.

Gibson offers a rare combination of size and speed.

A.J. Dillon, RB, Packers

Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes tackles Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023.

Dillon (thumb/neck) logged 178 carries for 613 yards and two touchdowns while adding 22 receptions for 223 yards over 15 games in the 2023 season.

Dillon saw action in Green Bay’s first 14 games of the season, but his yards per carry have dipped each of the last three seasons and Philadelphia could be the perfect change of scenery.

D'Andre Swift

Nov 26, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back D’Andre Swift (0) against the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Swift ranked fifth in rushing yards this past season with 1,049 and five touchdowns—his first-ever 1,000-yard campaign. He recorded a career-high 1,263 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns, making his first Pro Bowl.

Saquon Barkley

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants 34-10. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)

Barkley amassed 962 rushing yards and six touchdowns last year while adding 280 receiving yards and four scores.

Devin Singletary

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary (26) reacts after making a first down against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Singletary, a dual threat who continues to improve, recorded at least three receptions in five of his final six games. He’s set to hit free agency this offseason and helped his market by tallying 1,091 yards from scrimmage with four total touchdowns across 17 games with the Texans.

Zack Moss

Sep 24, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss (21) rushes during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

A potential value signing, Moss ran for 369 yards and a touchdown in eight games with the Colts in 2022 and then had a breakout season in 2023.

Filling in for an injured Jonathan Taylor, Moss played in 14 games with eight starts and ran for 794 yards with five touchdowns. He added 192 yards and two touchdowns on 27 receptions, finishing just under 1,000 yards from scrimmage.

Derrick Henry

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs through the Jacksonville Jaguars defense for a touchdown in the second quarter of their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

Henry, 30, will hit the open market after spending his first eight seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Fresh off a season in which he rushed for 1,167 yards, Henry still has gas left in the tank despite an extensive career workload.

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