Next up in our Dynasty Outlook series; the Baltimore Ravens Running Backs 2020 Dynasty Outlook . In Dynasty, there are certain players that tend to hold more uncertainty, or are more divisive than others. The Dynasty Outlook series takes a deeper dive into those players that the RotoHeat community noted as the guys they are most interested in hearing about. Engage with 1,400+ passionate dynasty players and let the RotoHeat content team know what topics YOU want to hear about by visiting our RotoHeat Facebook page.

Baltimore Ravens Running Backs 2020 Dynasty Outlook

Baltimore Ravens Running Backs 2020 Dynasty Outlook
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: Running back J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes rushes the football against the Clemson Tigers during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tigers defeated the Buckeyes 29-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Baltimore Ravens Running Backs 2020 Dynasty Outlook

With the 55th overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins. The 55th pick in this draft was a well traveled one. It originated as the New England Patriots pick and was sent to the Atlanta Falcons for WR Mohamed Sanu. Atlanta in turn sent the pick to the Baltimore Ravens along with a 5th round selection for TE Hayden Hurst.

Dobbins totaled 5,104 total yards and 43 touchdowns on 796 career touches for Ohio State in his three years there. In 2019, the 5’9″ 205 lb. back rushed for 2,003 yards on 301 carries and added 247 yards on 21 catches. He scored 22 times in 2019.

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There appears to be little doubt that the Ravens added one of the top running back prospects in the 2020 draft class with this selection. What is somewhat unknown is what does this mean for the usage out of that backfield going forward? The Ravens currently list Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill at RB in addition to Dobbins, with Patrick Ricard at FB. With all due respect to Richard, we will exclude him from this breakdown. He has seen 12 touches in three seasons in Baltimore, all via the pass.

Mark Ingram was signed as a free agent a year ago, and in 2019 the 30 year-old running back carried the ball 202 times for 1,018 yards and added 26 receptions for an additional 247 yards. He scored 10 touchdowns on the ground and 5 via the pass en route to a 242.5 PPR fantasy points and a RB11 finish. During Ingram’s 9 year career he has eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing three times and has finished as top 12 fantasy running back 4 times.

Gus Edwards has been a Raven since the start of the 2018 season. In 27 games, the UDFA has totaled 1,429 rushing yards and 65 receiving yards. He has scored 4 rushing TD’s and has yet to find paydirt via the pass. The Bus became the primary ball carrier for the Ravens down the stretch in 2018 and ended up leading the team in rushing with 718 yards. Edwards went over 100 rushing yards three times and became the first Ravens rookie RB with a 100+ yard rushing game since Jamal Lewis (2000). Edwards became the starter in week 11 and was the RB18 in his 7 starts. In 2019, Edwards started only 1 game, yet delivered 745 total yards and 2 touchdowns on 140 touches.

Baltimore Ravens Running Backs 2020 Dynasty Outlook
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 08: Gus Edwards #35 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball during the first half of a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium on August 8, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) Baltimore Ravens Running Backs 2020 Dynasty Outlook

Baltimore added Justice Hill in the 4th round with the 113th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Hill put up 3,539 rushing yards during his 3 years at Oklahoma State and added 304 more on 49 receptions. Hill was a trendy rookie pick in dynasty rookie drafts this time a year ago, as he was projected for a lot of opportunity and was expected to be a highly efficient addition to the offense. In the end, he was overshadowed by Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards. As a result, he was limited to 66 touches in his rookie season and 295 total yards.

The Baltimore Ravens rush attack is not complete without a look at 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. The 2018 32nd overall selection out of Louisville has carried the ball 323 times over the past two seasons for 1,901 yards. His 1,206 yards last season set a single season rushing record at the QB position. Since Jackson’s arrival in 2018, the Ravens have ran the football 1,143 times. Jackson has been the ball carrier on 21% of the carries.

Entering the 2020 season, the Ravens’ running back room is crowded. By adding Dobbins, Baltimore added a RB that was viewed as one of the best pure runners in this year’s class. He doesn’t have the best hands in this year’s crop, but his feet mostly make up for it. Simply put, with his talent and draft capital he’s going to be heavily involved.

It makes sense to keep Mark Ingram involved in the offense, especially in the passing game and as a mentor to Dobbins. We have seen Ingram successfully share workloads before during his time in New Orleans. Ingram is under contract through the end of the 2021 season. In 2020, he is a $5,333,333 cap hit with a $3,166,667 dead cap. In 2021, his cap hit elevates to $6,333,333, his dead cap drops to $1,333,334. One more year in Baltimore for Ingram prior to his trade or release before 2021 makes all the sense in the world.

When it comes to Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, forecasting workload is a tad more difficult to decipher. Gus Edwards is under contract until the end of the 2020 season. He makes $750,000 in 2020 with no guaranteed money or dead cap associated with his deal. He will be a RFA at seasons end. Justice Hill is under contract through the conclusion of the 2022 season. His guaranteed money was all in signing bonus and his cap hit ranges from $860,414 in 2020 to $1,150,414 in 2022. The dead cap associated to Hill ranges from $556,242 in 2020 to $185,414 in 2022. The Ravens can easily walk away from Edwards, Hill or both should they choose, as NFL teams have those dead cap totals in their sofa cushions.

In 2019, both Edwards and Hill participated on special teams in addition to their role on offense. Edwards was on the field for 397 offensive snaps and 86 special teams plays in 2019. Hill participated in 187 and 97 respectfully. I believe that the Ravens will carry all 4 backs into the 2020 season. I project both Dobbins and Ingram to deliver low RB2 fantasy numbers with Ingram’s role deteriorating as the season progresses. As for Edwards and Hill, barring injury, they will hold next to no fantasy value. In terms of Dynasty, I’d stash them on my bench and hope for the best.

Hill Baltimore Ravens Running Backs 2020 Dynasty Outlook
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 22: Ravens RB Justice Hill (43) carries the ball in the first half during the Preseason game between the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles on August 22, 2019 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Baltimore Ravens Running Backs Dynasty Outlook – Beyond 2020

This Backfield will be led by J.K. Dobbins in 2021 and beyond. With Mark Ingram out of the picture in 2021, he has legitimate RB1 upside. Mark Ingram will be 31 entering 2021 and will almost certainly find himself a role in a committee somewhere. I wouldn’t rule out a return to New Orleans, as Latavius Murray has underwhelmed there and the Saints can save some precious cap space with his release.

Gus Edwards is likely heading to market, and his future is tied to the tender the Ravens put on him, if any at all. Justice Hill very well emerges from all of this as the pass catching/change of pace option for the Ravens.

Baltimore Ravens Running Backs Value

Current start up dynasty ADP for the four backs is Dobbins (38), Ingram (86), Edwards (220), and Hill (140).

Dobbins is an early first round rookie pick and will cost you a lot if you are buying and should net you a lot if selling. Dobbins is currently ranked 42nd overall and is my 16th ranked RB.

Ingram is a player to buy if you are contending and sell if you are not. Ingram is currently ranked 89th overall and is my 35th ranked RB. Like I mentioned earlier, I see Ingram giving you RB2 production in 2020, and I believe he is the primary ball carrier in the backfield early this year. If you are buying, do it now, and if you are selling, wait until week 3 or 4 when I believe his value will be at its peak.

I have Justice Hill ranked 152nd overall and at RB52 and Edwards at 175th and RB61. They both need to be owned as one of them is an injury away from some fantasy relevance. Long term, as mentioned, Hill is the one to own. There is really no sense in buying or selling these players in a stand alone deal, but they may be the tiny parts you need to add to complete a larger transaction.

Thank you for reading the Baltimore Ravens Running Backs 2020 Dynasty Outlook. Follow me on Twitter @RotoHeatSully, and subscribe to the Sully’s 2 Cents Podcast for more of my fantasy football content.

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