The Baltimore Ravens finished their 2021 season at 8-9 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2017. It was a year filled with injuries that put a cap on the ceiling of the team, resulting in a six-game losing streak to end the season.
When looking at one unsung hero for each NFL team for the 2021 year, Nick Shook of NFL.com chose running back Devonta Freeman for Baltimore. When explaining why, Shook talked about how he came in and performed well after the Ravens suffered a brutal string of injuries to their running back room before the season.
“Baltimore lost running backs J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill before the 2021 season even kicked off, requiring Ravens GM Eric DeCosta to comb the free-agent market for veteran replacements. In came Freeman, a running back who hadn’t done much to impress with the Giants in 2020 but found himself with an opportunity. Freeman capitalized, carrying the ball 133 times for 576 yards, posting his best per-carry average (4.3 yards) in a season with at least 100 attempts since 2017. Baltimore benefitted from Freeman’s relative resurgence, watching him gain 13 first downs against stacked boxes (per Next Gen Stats) and keeping its offense alive despite the losses. Freeman even scored a game-winning touchdown in Chicago that helped the Ravens stay in the playoff race at the time.”
Freeman started the year slow, but ended up finishing the 2021 campaign leading Baltimore running backs in carries and yards, as well as second in rushing touchdowns. He was the most consistent option out of the veteran options that were brought in, and could be brought back in the offseason if both sides are interested.