For whatever reason may be, the Baltimore Ravens are snake-bitten when it comes to injuries. They have lost key players to devastating injuries the last few seasons and in 2023, that unfortunate trend has continued.
The team didn’t have their projected start group of skill position players on the field for a single snap this season as tight end Mark Andrews missed Week 1. Running back J.K. Dobbins was lost for the entire season in Week 1 with an Achilles injury.
Dobbins has been unable to remain healthy as a professional, as this is essentially the second full season that he will miss because of injury. That has left the Ravens short-handed once again in the backfield, as Gus Edwards has been the team’s lead back.
Melvin Gordon and Justice Hill have contributed as well, but this rushing game is once again led by quarterback Lamar Jackson. Despite a change in offensive coordinator and game plan, he has had to bail the team out numerous times as a runner as things aren’t clicking quite yet.
Outside of first-round pick Zay Flowers, this is still an offense that relies heavily on Andrews in the passing game. Looking to take some pressure off of everyone, the Ravens should look into upgrading their backfield.
One player who could become available in the coming weeks ahead of the October 31st trade deadline is New York Giants running back, Saquon Barkley. Alex Kay of Bleacher Report has suggested that Baltimore look into making a deal for the star playmaker.
With New York off to a 1-4 start and having virtually nothing to get excited about, becoming sellers is a real possibility. There is no real incentive for the Giants to continue to run Barkley out there. When healthy, he is talented enough to win them games by themselves, which may not be in the long-term interest of the franchise.
What could a deal between the Ravens and Giants look like? Kay suggested a Day 2 pick be offered, so Baltimore could offer their second or third-round pick to New York in exchange for Barkley.
He is the heart and soul of the Giants’ offense and a leader in the locker room, but a partnership beyond 2023 between the sides looks unlikely. A long-term deal was unable to be reached this offseason and it is hard to imagine the Giants would be willing to pay Barkley what he is seeking after another injury-riddled campaign.
It would be a risk for the Ravens to trade a Day 2 pick for what could be a rental. But, this was a team with Super Bowl aspirations coming into the season. Some hiccups on the offensive side of the ball have led to middling results, but adding a player of Barkley’s caliber could help get everything on track.
