In 2016, Ezekiel Elliott was the No. 1 running back in the league, according to Pro Football Reference's Approximate Value metric. And that's not a big shock, seeing as he rushed for a league-high 1,631 yards to go along with 15 touchdowns and 5.1 yards per carry, all as a rookie. He very well may return to that form in 2021, so long as he and the rest of the Cowboys offense can maintain their health.
But the No. 2 and No. 3 guys on that list probably won't shine as bright as Elliott in 2021, mainly due to the fact that neither of them are currently on a team. The runner-up to Zeke's dominance, at least in terms of Approximate Value, was Le'Veon Bell, who posted an unbelievable 1,884 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns... in only 12 games. Right on his tail at No. 3 was Devonta Freeman, who played in all 16 games and had 1,541 yards from scrimmage with 13 total touchdowns. He did all that with over 50 fewer touches than Bell, showing that they were both fairly efficient in different ways.
Now, five seasons later, they're both on the outside looking in, but they're not giving up yet. And their best opportunity may have come on Monday, when they both worked out with the Baltimore Ravens, according to the league's transaction wire (h/t Nick Shook of NFL.com).
Bell was cut by the Jets midway through the 2020 season before the Chiefs picked him up and gave him a chance. Overall, he rushed 82 times for 328 yards and two scores. Freeman spent five games with the New York Giants in 2020 and was fairly ineffective, rushing 54 times for 172 yards and a score. The Saints signed him to start August of this year but released him a week ago.
Why are the Ravens looking at two veterans with plenty of struggles in recent years? Because J.K. Dobbins tore his ACL in the preseason, Justice Hill tore his Achilles days later and, as good as Gus Edwards is, the backfield could use a boost. Should one of these veteran hopeful's return attempts come to fruition, it'll really putt a damper on Ty'Son Williams' day (and my day as a fantasy owner, as I picked him up in all my leagues). Williams apparently leap-frogged Hill even before the injury put him out of action for the season, though his role will likely diminish a whole lot with the addition of a veteran ball carrier.
Perhaps Williams will impress in Week 1 and render all of these workouts meaningless, giving the Ravens the three-headed monster of Lamar Jackson, Edwards and Williams that they need. But if one of these vets gets a chance, it's anyone's guess as to who might thrive behind Edwards — or in general — in this injury-riddled backfield.
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