The Baltimore Ravens have had some really bad injury luck over the past three seasons. After losing J.K. Dobbins for the season, they’re looking to bolster their running back depth. According to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, Baltimore was working out the trio of James Robinson, Kenyan Drake, and Ronald Jones II. Ultimately, it appears the Ravens have chosen to sign Drake, but how should fantasy football managers react?
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and Start/Sit Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
Should Fantasy Managers Add Kenyan Drake Off the Wavier Wire?
It is my sincerest hope that you all find something you love as much as the Ravens love signing running backs who have had past success but appear to be on the downturn of their career. From Le’Veon Bell to DeVonta Freeman to Latavius Murray (who actually was and is still good) to Melvin Gordon, the Ravens clearly have a type.
Believe it or not, Drake is the one I felt had the most potential of the three. We’ve never seen Jones perform at an NFL level, and we only really saw it from Robinson once…three years and a torn Achilles ago.
MORE: PFN Consensus Rankings
Drake had stretches just last year with the Ravens where he was fantasy-viable. He had a 100-yard rushing game in Week 6 and a two-touchdown game in Week 9.
The Ravens have a history of signing backs they’re familiar with, and Drake fits the bill.
To be clear, I don’t see a world where Drake signs and eats into the Gus Edwards/Justice Hill split in any meaningful way. However, Baltimore didn’t even want to put Melvin Gordon on the field last week. Clearly, they know Gordon is done.
Drake, however, might have enough juice left to matter if something were to happen to Edwards or Hill.
Now we know that Drake is on the practice squad, he’s still unlikely to be an immediate add, but in deeper leagues, he could be worth a stash. And if the wheels on the Gus Bus come to a screeching halt, or the scales of Justice get weighed down (it was the best I could come up with), perhaps we can learn to love the Drake once again.