The Baltimore Ravens had an impressive 25-9 victory over the visiting Houston Texans, but unfortunately, they lost starting RB J.K. Dobbins (torn Achilles tendon) for the season during the game.
With J.K. Dobbins Out, Is Gus Edwards the Ravens’ RB1?
Baltimore lists sixth-year RB Gus Edwards as the backup to Dobbins, and a personnel source said what gives him an advantage over fifth-year RB Justice Hill is that Edwards possesses way better size and the ability to handle a volume of carries.
Edwards has 11 games in his career with at least 15 carries or more, and Hill only has one game with 10+ carries.
Gus Edwards is just different.
Prayers up for JK, hopefully it’s nothing too serious! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/2Z90WlYPBL
— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) September 10, 2023
Another source said Edwards was seen as a potential fullback by some teams due to his size (6’1”, 235) when he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Ravens in 2018.
Hill, a fourth-round pick by Baltimore out of the 2019 NFL Draft, clearly looks more explosive on tape than Edwards, but due to his smaller frame (5’10”, 197), he hasn’t shown the ability to handle a large carry total over his career.
On the positive side, first-round pick WR Zay Flowers showed the team why he was worth selecting No. 22 overall.
Flowers is expected to line up mostly in the slot, but a veteran wide receivers coach from another team said, “he’s pretty fearless over the middle despite being small (5’9”, 182).”
The coach said he gave Flowers a first-round grade due to his toughness, hands, football character, and quickness. The coach also added that Flowers — who led all Ravens pass catchers in the game with nine receptions for 78 yards on 10 targets — could possibly play on the outside as his career progresses and he puts on more muscle.