The Ravens, Chargers may pursue top running back free agent, Jerick McKinnon after the trade deadline. The NFL Trade deadline but McKinnon still remains on the market after spending all offseason looking for a new home. McKinnon may finally land with a new roster before the postseason which means he should receive some interest soon. Originally selected in the 2014 NFL Draft, the veteran has been a viable backup threat for teams needing a solid runner to boost the running game.
McKinnon never saw much production in his stints with the Vikings or 49ers but was able to help Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs win back-to-back Super Bowls. He never earned a Pro Bowl but he was one of the better running backs in the league even though he was a backup. His days were over as soon as they saw him more as a liability than a contributor. The Chiefs surprisingly didn’t bring him back despite being a better runner than Clyde Edwards-Helaire who’ve they given a contract extension to but he hasn’t been doing much of anything.
Kansas City may never bring back McKinnon but there are plenty of teams looking to improve their depth, especially before this year’s postseason. A roster like the Ravens, Chargers could use the extra insurance to be a dangerous AFC team hoping to be an unstoppable force in the playoffs.
Ravens, Chargers May Pursue Top Running Back Free Agent Jerick McKinnon
Reinforcements for Derrick Henry
The Baltimore Ravens have made one of the greatest investments after signing running back Derrick Henry on a two-year deal. Henry currently leads all other runners in rushing yards and his phenomenal performance is the reason why the offense, especially Lamar Jackson is having so much success. However, even though Keaton Mitchell is back on the stomping grounds, there’s no word if he will be effective as a backup. After addressing the wide receiver position, the team wants to make sure they have some depth that can help Henry in the long haul before the playoffs.
Henry is like a wrecking ball but one injury may be all it takes to keep him out of action as he has a strong history of injuries. Justice Hill is a great route runner as a backfield piece but he’s easily just a dependable option in dump-off short-yardage plays. Even though he does have his moments of speed and is a momentum shifter, they could benefit from someone like McKinnon. They don’t have to put him on the field immediately but he could be an effective blocker on pass plays and move the chains alongside Hill.
Improving the Ground Game
Jim Harbaugh loves a great run game but that’s been stagnant so far despite the success that J.K Dobbins is having. Dobbins may be performing well but the team still could use some depth as Gus Edwards may be returning, they could use the help to get ahead. None of the running backs they have on their roster are long-term solutions, but having a rental-free agent signee like McKinnon could boost the passing game for Justin Hebert.
At 5-3, the Chargers still have a lot of issues in their passing attack game so they could easily address a few holes and be a legitimate wild-card roster. Los Angeles may have bigger problems on their hands but McKinnon may help Herbert be a dependable option in quick dump-offs. McKinnon won’t be full-time and he isn’t changing the offense much. He is still a clear-cut runner available in screenplays that may carve out a role in that scheme to be reliable.
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