As the Baltimore Ravens build around Lamar Jackson, they are set to add free agent running back Mark Ingram.
With news of the New Orleans Saints signing Latavius Murray on Tuesday, the writing was on the wall for Mark Ingram. But he’s landing on his feet, with Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini of ESPN first reporting Ingram will sign with the Baltimore Ravens.
Ingram started last season on a four-game suspension, but he averaged 4.7 yards per carry with seven total touchdowns in 12 games. He topped 1,000 yards on the ground in each of the previous two seasons, and he has been an underrated producer as a pass catcher with at least 46 receptions (50 or more twice) each season from 2015-17.
Contract Details
Via multiple reports, Ingram will get a three-year, $15 deal from Baltimore.
National Reaction
ESPN Ravens’ reporter Jamison Hensley was complimentary of Ingram’s production and intangible value.
ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett was similarly complimentary of Ingram.
Going back five seasons, Ingram has been a pretty prolific touchdown scorer.
With the switch to Jackson under center, fellow rookie Gus Edwards also emerged. Over the final seven games last year, Edwards averaged 5.4 yards per carry and over 93 yards per game. Ingram will now usurp him on the depth chart though, with Kenneth Dixon becoming the No. 3 back and Alex Collins gone.
Ingram may share backfield work again to some degree in Baltimore, as Edwards proved to fit well with Jackson. But he has a much easier path to a workhorse role than he did over the last couple seasons in New Orleans, with Alvin Kamara coming aboard and emerging.
The Ravens have made it clear they’ll be a run-oriented offensive outfit, with plenty of work to go around, and Ingram has not had the kind of workload a typical 29-year-old running back might (12.5 carries per game for his career. So it looks like a good fit all the way around.