The vision is a tantalizing one: The Baltimore Ravens backfield featuring Lamar Jackson and Saquon Barkley?!
And apparently, the Ravens themselves can visualize just that.
The Ravens are looking to upgrade at running back as Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins are both about to hit free agency. And there are several big names being associated with the Ravens as Josh Jacobs and Derrick Henry all have been linked to Charm City at some point.
But the latest tip comes from a report from a Giants beat writer who lists New York free agent to be Barkley as subject to a possible bidding war topped by three suitors: The Chargers, the Bears and your Ravens.
Barkley was tagged by the New York Giants last season before the two parties agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal. Playing on a poor team, he responded with a 962-yard season off of 247 carries and six touchdowns. He also contributed 41 catches for 280 yards and four more scores.
What could he do with a contending team? Of those three clubs, the only true contender is the Ravens, should that matter to Barkley. … who might be in line for, say, a three-year deal worth $36 million.
Does his presence alongside Lamar put the Ravens over the top?
Barkley was taken by the Giants with the No. 2 overall pick back in the 2018 NFL Draft. Since then, he’s amassed 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns on 1,201 carries and 288 catches 2,100 receiving yards and 12 more scores.
The 27-year-old figures to be a stellar complement to quarterback Jackson who is coming off his second-career league MVP and was the Ravens’ leading rusher last season.
The two could be one of the more dynamic offensive backfield pairings in the NFL and might improve dramatically the Ravens’ already league-best rushing attack from last year. … a possibility that will start to reveal itself on Monday when the NFL’s “legal tampering period” launches.
