The Baltimore Ravens got so close to the Super Bowl and will look to improve themselves this offseason to make another run in 2020. But before we get to free agency and the draft, the Ravens will need to handle their own pending free agents.
Running back Gus Edwards is the latest player to draw our attention. After an impressive 2019 season that saw him split carries with starter Mark Ingram, could Edwards be the long-term answer at running back for Baltimore? We’ll take a deeper look at Edwards and how likely he is to re-sign with the Ravens this offseason.
Make sure to check out our other Ravens free-agent previews for 2020 for our in-depth look at each pending free agent.
Gus Edwards – 2019 review:
Gus Edwards led the Ravens in rushing in his rookie season with 718 yards from 137 attempts, scoring two touchdowns. His 2019 output was remarkably similar, as he finished with 711 yards off 133 carries, again finding the end zone twice. While his attempts-per-game average fell to 8.3, his yards-per-attempt average rose from 5.2 to 5.3.
His efficiency stats, like his main stats, also bear a striking resemblance to those of 2018. Last season, Edwards amassed 376 yards after contact at an average of 2.8 yards after contact per attempt, after posting 362 yards at a 2.6-yard average in 2018. Edwards was also able to boost his receiving production after just two catches in his rookie season, though it should be noted that this improvement only stretched to seven receptions for 45 yards. But after two seasons Edwards can proudly claim that he has caught 100% of his career targets (9-of-9).
Edwards was a steady compiler in 2019, with only 15 of his runs gaining zero yards or losing yards. He did have five runs of 20 yards or more, with a 63-yard touchdown run against the Houston Texans in Week 11 being his longest play of the season. Mark Ingram, the Ravens lead running back, only had six such runs on 69 more carries than Edwards.
In all, Edwards was a solid complement to Ingram and Lamar Jackson whenever called upon in 2019.
Review / Potential / Value / Chances to re-sign
Gus Edwards – Potential:
Edwards will be 25 by the time the 2020 season rolls around. Despite this “advanced” age (for a running back), he should still have plenty of tread on his NFL tires. Edwards has 270 regular season rushing attempts in his career. 29 running backs have amassed more carries than this over the last two seasons.
He has shown that he can be trusted with a regular workload and not just operate as a breather back to a more established runner, too. Edwards has seen double-digit rushing attempts in 12 of his 27 regular-season games and has five games with 100-plus yards on the ground.
The major knock against Edwards continues to be his work as a receiver. There are 122 running backs with more receptions over the last two seasons than Edwards. It’s not so bad where he is now, given that the Ravens don’t really go out of their way to pass to running backs. But his skills as a pass-catcher are difficult to judge given how little opportunity he is given in the passing game.
Edwards isn’t a game-changing running back but he fits well into Baltimore’s scheme as a power option. If given a full-time role, it seems as though he’d have similar production to Ingram in 2019, which was good enough for a Pro Bowl nod.
Review / Potential / Value / Chances to re-sign
Gus Edwards – Free agency value:
Edwards would be a fascinating player to monitor through free agency, given the NFL’s current boom or bust attitude with regards to paying running backs. He could be viewed by a team as a player like Michael Turner was back in the day. Turner had flashed for the then-San Diego Chargers in his limited opportunities with the team and landed a big-money deal with the Atlanta Falcons despite only starting one game in his first four seasons. Turner went on to rush for 6,081 yards and 60 touchdowns for the Falcons.
But Turner was an unrestricted free agent in 2008, whereas Edwards is an Exclusive Rights Free Agent this offseason. In a nutshell, he will not be hitting the open market unless Baltimore decides to not re-sign him on the cheap one-year ERFA deal. His choices this offseason are to either sign whatever offer the Ravens make him to stay or not play in 2020 at all. The ball is very much in Baltimore’s court, here.
Review / Potential / Value / Chances to re-sign
Chance to re-sign:
Given his lack of options, combined with his past production and current role, there is little to make me think that Gus Edwards won’t be in Baltimore purple in 2020. He’ll probably be featured once again next year, but as a restricted free agent that could garner some free-agent attention. But we’ll come to that when it happens.
I would put his odds at returning to the Ravens at 99%. I mean, I really think it’s 100%, but you’ve got to leave some room for doubt, haven’t you?
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