Ravens Urged to Add Super Bowl RB to Cover Injuries.
After two-time NFL rushing champion Derrick Henry joined the Baltimore Ravens this offseason, the position at running back should be fixed, but injuries have left the depth chart looking low, something Super Bowl winner Jerick McKinnon would address.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report has identified him as a fit for the Ravens to add at this time. The rationale behind the fit is that “maintaining Derrick Henry healthy for the final stretch and the postseason will be a crucial goal all season long.
” The Ravens are not prepared to do it at this time. Ballentine noted that Owen Wright was placed on injured reserve and that Keaton Mitchell will begin the season on the PUP list.
The solution to a shortage of stats is to have faith in McKinnon, even at his advanced age: “A pass-catching back like Jerick McKinnon can still be useful, though. Despite being 32 years old, he had 56 receptions for 512 yards and 10 touchdowns in a single season before.
McKinnon would be a unique addition to the Baltimore backfield thanks to his specialised receiving abilities. When McKinnon assisted the Kansas City Chiefs in winning the previous two Super Bowls, such abilities proved useful.
Jerick McKinnon Has Hidden Value for Ravens
True pass-catchers are lacking for the Ravens out of the backfield. Although Henry, 30, is good in this area, his style of play is primarily focused on exploiting defences during the running game. The tale of Justice Hill, Henry’s primary backup, is comparable.
Although Hill has only made 53 career catches, the latter boasts quickness around the corner on the ground. In contrast, McKinnon has an extensive history of success as a receiver. McKinnon’s latent value in a specialised area is demonstrated by his career total of 338 receptions and 22 passing touchdowns.
Although McKinnon is a valuable check-down target from anywhere on the field, the veteran performs best in the red zone. McKinnon beat linebacker Devin Lloyd and the Jacksonville Jaguars on this play that was highlighted by Yahoo Sports. His agility and grasp of route principles create mismatches against all sorts of coverage.
It’s plays like these that make McKinnon a quarterback-friendly target. By producing simple reads and rapid throws, he would ease the workload of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. McKinnon would also give offensive coordinator Todd Monken greater leeway in creating intricate throwing schemes.
According to Next Gen Stats, McKinnon may be moved around formations to create mismatches in space and shift defenders about, much like the Chiefs did when they motioned him into the slot for a touchdown grab against the Denver Broncos in 2023.
The Ravens’ persistent lack of star power at wide receiver might be mitigated by combining McKinnon with tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Additionally, it would close a hole in the Ravens’ running back room, where McKinnon’s versatility is unmatched.
Ravens Lacking Depth, Versatility at Running Back
Before sustaining an ACL tear in the previous season, Mitchell was displaying the qualities of a breakout player. His ability to stretch the field will be missed while Wright,
another undrafted free agent, is out due to a fractured foot. In light of their absences, the Ravens are relying on fifth-round pick Rasheen Ali of the 2024 NFL Draft to bolster their backfield rotation with quickness and receiving prowess.
The issue is that, according to Ryan Mink of Ravens.com, Ali has been sidelined by a neck issue before of the regular-season opener against the Chiefs. For the Ravens, turning to McKinnon would be an affordable approach to increase their alternatives at a crucial position.
Fortunately, the Ravens have just $4,862,994 in cap space, so he could still be acquired for the veteran’s minimum wage. He still needs a new team.
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