With a number of players to choose from, including Gus Edwards, the Baltimore Ravens running game was once again among the best in the NFL this season. a member of the group that also included Melvin Gordon, Justice Hill, and Keaton Mitchell before to his injury. Under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, the Ravens leaned heavily on their run game, and they led the league with 156.5 yards per game.
However, Edwards was placed 20th by NFL.com when all starting running backs were evaluated based on their season output. “Edwards, a free agent this offseason, provided the Ravens’ rushing attack with a physical, downhill runner, while Lamar Jackson dizzied defenders with his elusive rushing ability and Keaton Mitchell and Justice Hill operated as change-of-pace guys more than capable of ripping off the big one,” according to NFL.com. With 13 rushing touchdowns this season, Edwards tied for eighth in the NFL and led Baltimore.”
Edwards’s season statistics for the year don’t look good; he only averaged 47.6 yards per game with 810 yards from 198 attempts, both career highs. However, being a “running back by committee” might make it difficult to obtain large totals. Edwards had a five-game stretch from Week 7 to Week 11 when he rushed for at least one touchdown (he managed nine in that span), but he still managed to rush for 13 touchdowns (career high). After failing to reach the end zone in back-to-back games, he broke a three-game run of successful rushes for touchdowns
With Edwards one of 23 free agents the Ravens have to give serious consideration to and his market value set at $3.6 million APY per spotrac.com, will he be a Raven in 2024?
His production suggests so as 13 rushing touchdowns is a superb effort and with Mitchell still recovering from his ACL injury and likely won’t be back until at least midseason depending on his recovery, there is a spot for Edwards moving forward. He was the 20th-ranked running back in 2023, and with another year on Monken’s offense led by two-time MVP winner Lamar Jackson, maybe Edwards will be higher on that list come this time next year.
