2024 Outlook for Ravens RBs - The King Henry era is here! (1 Viewer)

[Jamesinaz]

This guy isn't out scoring Tee Higgins.  

Here is my thought process on my choice.

Higgins is a quality WR on a so-so offense sharing catches with 2 other WRs any of which could be the one having a good day and getting the looks.  I drafted Higgins so I am pro-Higgins to start with and believe he will emerge as their #1 but it will always be a shared role of 1A/1B.

Williams is the de-facto (for one game) RB1 in Bal on Monday and should get at least 20 touches.  He runs behind an excellent line and has a better chance at a goal line TD than Higgins.

I believe the floor for Higgins is about 50 yards.  His ceiling is 100 yards and a TD.  I think the floor for Williams is about 75 yards and the ceiling about 100 yards and 2 TDs.

Note this is a NON-PPR league.

I am open to hearing your thoughts.  I can still change my decision.

 

[foxco]

Here is my thought process on my choice.

Higgins is a quality WR on a so-so offense sharing catches with 2 other WRs any of which could be the one having a good day and getting the looks.  I drafted Higgins so I am pro-Higgins to start with and believe he will emerge as their #1 but it will always be a shared role of 1A/1B.

Williams is the de-facto (for one game) RB1 in Bal on Monday and should get at least 20 touches.  He runs behind an excellent line and has a better chance at a goal line TD than Higgins.

I believe the floor for Higgins is about 50 yards.  His ceiling is 100 yards and a TD.  I think the floor for Williams is about 75 yards and the ceiling about 100 yards and 2 TDs.

Note this is a NON-PPR league.

I am open to hearing your thoughts.  I can still change my decision.

This is actually a pretty decent argument and non ppr absolutely makes sense. 

 

[cockroach]

Here is my thought process on my choice.

Higgins is a quality WR on a so-so offense sharing catches with 2 other WRs any of which could be the one having a good day and getting the looks.  I drafted Higgins so I am pro-Higgins to start with and believe he will emerge as their #1 but it will always be a shared role of 1A/1B.

Williams is the de-facto (for one game) RB1 in Bal on Monday and should get at least 20 touches.  He runs behind an excellent line and has a better chance at a goal line TD than Higgins.

I believe the floor for Higgins is about 50 yards.  His ceiling is 100 yards and a TD.  I think the floor for Williams is about 75 yards and the ceiling about 100 yards and 2 TDs.

Note this is a NON-PPR league.

I am open to hearing your thoughts.  I can still change my decision.

I think Williams' floor is like half of what you do and Higgins ceiling is double.  NonPPR doesn't change my mind any.  

 

[Jamesinaz]

I think Williams' floor is like half of what you do and Higgins ceiling is double.  NonPPR doesn't change my mind any.  

Wow.  Higgins ceiling is 200 yards and 2 TDs.  Decision is already made so guess we'll see how it plays out this week.

 

[cockroach]

Wow.  Higgins ceiling is 200 yards and 2 TDs.  Decision is already made so guess we'll see how it plays out this week.

I'd be really happy to be wrong.   I don't have Higgins, but I have Ty'son everywhere and can't imagine imagine going with Williams over a guy like Higgins until he proves himself in live action somehow first.   Again, I think your floor for him is wildly optimistic.  

 

[Jamesinaz]

I'd be really happy to be wrong.   I don't have Higgins, but I have Ty'son everywhere and can't imagine imagine going with Williams over a guy like Higgins until he proves himself in live action somehow first.   Again, I think your floor for him is wildly optimistic.  

I admit that floor is for this week only.  I expect this week the BAL line to blow the Raiders off the ball and Williams to get a shot at being the 1A since Murray isn't up to speed on the playbook yet.  I think any NFL caliber RB could get the 75 yards floor and a good shot at a TD.

Also, prior to being carted off injured (sigh) Higgins was having a heck of a game so you might be or been right.  We'll see Monday night.  I sure hope Higgins isn't seriously hurt as he is my #3 WR.

 

[cockroach]

I admit that floor is for this week only

That's not how I calculate floors.  It's not based on opponent for me, at all.  I applaud your bravery though.  

 

[Faust]

The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec said RB Ty'Son Williams will get the "bulk" of Baltimore's backfield work Monday night against the Raiders. 

Williams is the last guy standing in Baltimore's backfield after a surreal rash of knee injuries to J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and and Justice Hill. Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman said last week that Williams has "done nothing but impress" since the start of training camp. He could see upwards of 20 touches on Monday night. Newly-signed Latavius Murray, meanwhile, could see a "handful" of touches against Vegas, Zrebiec said. Fantasy managers should start Williams with confidence. Murray should be rostered in all formats. 

RELATED: 

Latavius Murray

SOURCE: The Athletic 

Sep 13, 2021, 11:56 AM ET

 

[Faust]

Latavius Murray is no threat to Ty'Son Williams.

Latavius runs like a tranquilized elephant wearing cement shoes.

 

[Jamesinaz]

Latavius Murray is no threat to Ty'Son Williams.

Latavius runs like a tranquilized elephant wearing cement shoes.

I admit I am getting excited having drafted Williams with my last pick.  Kind of like 2 years ago when Bell was holding out at PIT (or was it 3 years)  and I grabbed Conner with my last pick.  No, Conner didn't win it for me.  Like an idiot I traded him before the first game was played because I had hot trash at TE.  I still did after trading him.  One could say it was a bad decision trading him. 

 

[JohnnyU]

Latavius Murray is no threat to Ty'Son Williams.

Latavius runs like a tranquilized elephant wearing cement shoes.

I agree for at least the shot term.  He will have to keep it up and do it multiple weeks before I get on board.  He could be the 2021 version of the 2020 James Robinson, or a flash in the pan.

 

[Banger]

I admit I am getting excited having drafted Williams with my last pick.  Kind of like 2 years ago when Bell was holding out at PIT (or was it 3 years)  and I grabbed Conner with my last pick.  No, Conner didn't win it for me.  Like an idiot I traded him before the first game was played because I had hot trash at TE.  I still did after trading him.  One could say it was a bad decision trading him. 

Live and LEARN….

 

[Scooby1974]

I agree for at least the shot term.  He will have to keep it up and do it multiple weeks before I get on board.  He could be the 2021 version of the 2020 James Robinson, or a flash in the pan.

Here's to hoping. That has been my call so far. Let's see if he can string some more yards together here in the second half.

 

[GoBirds]

I agree for at least the shot term.  He will have to keep it up and do it multiple weeks before I get on board.  He could be the 2021 version of the 2020 James Robinson, or a flash in the pan.

Latavius already eating too many carries, he won't own the backfield the way Robinson did. Murray has almost as many carries and hasn't had the playbook a week. 

 

[Doug B]

Pretty shuked that Bell got no work. Was he even activated tonight? Safe drop in redraft?

 

[Banger]

Pretty shuked that Bell got no work. Was he even activated tonight? Safe drop in redraft?

Probably

 

[Casting Couch]

Pretty shuked that Bell got no work. Was he even activated tonight? Safe drop in redraft?

I would hold Bell for one more week. Murray looks slow, and Ty'son is not the answer.

 

[tricky92]

I would hold Bell for one more week. Murray looks slow, and Ty'son is not the answer.

This is the approach I'm taking.

 

[Doug B]

I would hold Bell for one more week. Murray looks slow, and Ty'son is not the answer.

Ty’son’s stat sheet looked strong. What are the stats not showing? Was he whiffing pass blocks? Got half his yards on one long flukey carry and looked pedestrian on the rest?

 

[Mark Football]

Murray is exactly what the Baltimore coaches wanted. Get a few yards and hold onto the ball then pass pro and let Lamar do his thing. Murray is not going anywhere. 

 

[Mark Football]

Ty’son’s stat sheet looked strong. What are the stats not showing? Was he whiffing pass blocks? Got half his yards on one long flukey carry and looked pedestrian on the rest?

He was confused on what to do during read option plays. Missed pass pros. Was late lining up on a play that was called for delay of game. 

 

[Casting Couch]

Murray is exactly what the Baltimore coaches wanted. Get a few yards and hold onto the ball then pass pro and let Lamar do his thing. Murray is not going anywhere. 

I agree Lat Murray is not going anywhere,  but I don't see him as a viable fantasy producer. I would rather roll the dice with Le'Veon Bell right now as the next man up.

 

[Doug B]

I agree Lat Murray is not going anywhere,  but I don't see him as a viable fantasy producer. I would rather roll the dice with Le'Veon Bell right now as the next man up.

Seeing Bell with the goose egg was concerning, though. Was there a business reason he was kept inactive this game? Does the guaranteed full-season salary thing apply for a practice squad player?

 

[travdogg]

Seeing Bell with the goose egg was concerning, though. Was there a business reason he was kept inactive this game? Does the guaranteed full-season salary thing apply for a practice squad player?

Bell was inactive, because they felt he wasn't yet in game shape, unlike Murray who had a full camp and preseason with the Saints.

I'd bet on Bell being AT LEAST the passing down RB going forward. Especially since Williams pass blocking was a major reason the Ravens lost. 

 

[Army Eye]

Ty’son’s stat sheet looked strong. What are the stats not showing? Was he whiffing pass blocks? Got half his yards on one long flukey carry and looked pedestrian on the rest?

He got a big TD run where a truck could have driven through the hole, so, you could say the stats were inflated.  He did look promising as a runner overall though, his problems were with everything else, he didn't know what he was doing, as others have articulated.

 

[FGITLOTR]

He got a big TD run where a truck could have driven through the hole, so, you could say the stats were inflated.  He did look promising as a runner overall though, his problems were with everything else, he didn't know what he was doing, as others have articulated.

I don’t get a lot of the Williams bashing on this thread. Yes, he whiffed on pass pro and had some alignment issues, but it was his first game in the NFL lol he showed burst, toughness, AND the ability to catch the football. Granted, they definitely need a vet like Murray to shore up the position in the short term, but I fully expect this kid to be a major contributor the second half of the season. Bell, Murray and Freeman are all cooked! I guarantee you the stellar Raven coaching staff will coach up this kid and turn him into a viable NFL RB. 

 

[Insein]

Not interested in waiting for Balt to decide if Bell is worthy of getting on the field just to have 5 carries a game. Dropping him. 

 

[kface]

I don’t get a lot of the Williams bashing on this thread. Yes, he whiffed on pass pro and had some alignment issues, but it was his first game in the NFL lol he showed burst, toughness, AND the ability to catch the football. Granted, they definitely need a vet like Murray to shore up the position in the short term, but I fully expect this kid to be a major contributor the second half of the season. Bell, Murray and Freeman are all cooked! I guarantee you the stellar Raven coaching staff will coach up this kid and turn him into a viable NFL RB. 

The ravens have barely ever had a viable rb and they have two good vets waiting in the wings.

I thought Cannon looked quicker and more decisive last night than Williams

Based on the blocking alone he is probably done for awhile

 

[tangfoot]

Maybe not in Week 2 (Baltimore vs Kansas City), but Williams is going to be the primary cog in the running game for the majority of this season.  His problems last night are correctable, he simply needs more game experience and reps in practice.

Bell not being active last night probably doesn't have anything to do with guaranteeing his contract, it was likely due to not having practiced all summer.  Murray was ready to go this week and showed out well on some runs.  (Others, not so much)

 

[JohnnyU]

Maybe not in Week 2 (Baltimore vs Kansas City), but Williams is going to be the primary cog in the running game for the majority of this season.  His problems last night are correctable, he simply needs more game experience and reps in practice.

Bell not being active last night probably doesn't have anything to do with guaranteeing his contract, it was likely due to not having practiced all summer.  Murray was ready to go this week and showed out well on some runs.  (Others, not so much)

Like I said in another thread, this is a work in progress and nothing is set in stone as of today.

 

[Sam Quentin]

Maybe not in Week 2 (Baltimore vs Kansas City), but Williams is going to be the primary cog in the running game for the majority of this season.  His problems last night are correctable, he simply needs more game experience and reps in practice.

Bell not being active last night probably doesn't have anything to do with guaranteeing his contract, it was likely due to not having practiced all summer.  Murray was ready to go this week and showed out well on some runs.  (Others, not so much)

Murray had a nice TD run, but outside of that looked pretty bad IMHO.

I don’t know if Bell has anything left, but I hear his pass pro is good, so he may get a chance at some point to get a share.

 

[kface]

Murray had a nice TD run, but outside of that looked pretty bad IMHO.

I don’t know if Bell has anything left, but I hear his pass pro is good, so he may get a chance at some point to get a share.

Bell is a really good receiving back as well that can also run the ball.  he should get snaps...

 

[DocHolliday]

The ravens have barely ever had a viable rb and they have two good vets waiting in the wings.

I thought Cannon looked quicker and more decisive last night than Williams

Based on the blocking alone he is probably done for awhile

Cannon looked best last night but this backfield screams stay away.  I don’t see any of the backs taking the reigns in the near future.  Williams is probably the best RB to own if you can hold for a few weeks.   

 

[jobarules]

Cannon looked best last night but this backfield screams stay away.  I don’t see any of the backs taking the reigns in the near future.  Williams is probably the best RB to own if you can hold for a few weeks.   

What am I missing? Cannon had 2 carries for 5 yards

 

[JohnnyU]

What am I missing? Cannon had 2 carries for 5 yards

His uniform had such a look that gave the appearance he could be fast.

 

[Faust]

His uniform had such a look that gave the appearance he could be fast.

 We are all sleeping on Cannon, as the clue here is literally in his name - he runs as if he was “shot from a cannon”

 

[Caretaker]

Williams and Murray owner checking in

Williams 1st half:  7 rushes, 64 yards, 1 TD, 2 catches for 23 yards; 2nd half:  2 rushes, 1 yd., 1 catch, 6 yards

highly concerned about Williams' role in the second half.  Murray was just off the street a couple days ago, doesn't know the playbook yet, but they trust him to be in for most of the second half?  He ends up with more carries than Williams?

i originally thought maybe Williams was dinged up, he took a hard direct hit in the gut from a defender and was flipped end-over-end.  But he was back in there occasionally, his lack of usage didn't look like an injury issue.

Ty'Son had handoff/exchange problems, and problems in pass protection. 

no, you can't expect him to hold off a guy like Nassib for long, but his block was flat-out terrible and it led to the fumble that lost them the game

I'm holding both for now, but concerned either will have decent value, especially after they bring up one or both of Bell and Freeman

 

[Sam Quentin]

Williams and Murray owner checking in

Williams 1st half:  7 rushes, 64 yards, 1 TD, 2 catches for 23 yards; 2nd half:  2 rushes, 1 yd., 1 catch, 6 yards

highly concerned about Williams' role in the second half.  Murray was just off the street a couple days ago, doesn't know the playbook yet, but they trust him to be in for most of the second half?  He ends up with more carries than Williams?

i originally thought maybe Williams was dinged up, he took a hard direct hit in the gut from a defender and was flipped end-over-end.  But he was back in there occasionally, his lack of usage didn't look like an injury issue.

Ty'Son had handoff/exchange problems, and problems in pass protection. 

no, you can't expect him to hold off a guy like Nassib for long, but his block was flat-out terrible and it led to the fumble that lost them the game

I'm holding both for now, but concerned either will have decent value, especially after they bring up one or both of Bell and Freeman

Ty’son is their best shot at having a productive backfield that keeps the D honest .  

The exchange plays and the pass pro can be worked on.

 

[kface]

Williams and Murray owner checking in

Williams 1st half:  7 rushes, 64 yards, 1 TD, 2 catches for 23 yards; 2nd half:  2 rushes, 1 yd., 1 catch, 6 yards

highly concerned about Williams' role in the second half.  Murray was just off the street a couple days ago, doesn't know the playbook yet, but they trust him to be in for most of the second half?  He ends up with more carries than Williams?

i originally thought maybe Williams was dinged up, he took a hard direct hit in the gut from a defender and was flipped end-over-end.  But he was back in there occasionally, his lack of usage didn't look like an injury issue.

Ty'Son had handoff/exchange problems, and problems in pass protection. 

no, you can't expect him to hold off a guy like Nassib for long, but his block was flat-out terrible and it led to the fumble that lost them the game

I'm holding both for now, but concerned either will have decent value, especially after they bring up one or both of Bell and Freeman

This is a great post

I think this situation is going to be a lot like last year.  3 backs getting carries and catches with not much rhyme or reason at this point

I think williams has lost some potential in the next couple of weeks because it was quiet obvious he was in over his head.

He had the long td but murray would have had that td too...it was a huge hole with nobody in secondary.  We have all seen the likes of tom rathman have his longest runs in his career in those situations.

 

[Sam Quentin]

This is a great post

I think this situation is going to be a lot like last year.  3 backs getting carries and catches with not much rhyme or reason at this point

I think williams has lost some potential in the next couple of weeks because it was quiet obvious he was in over his head.

He had the long td but murray would have had that td too...it was a huge hole with nobody in secondary.  We have all seen the likes of tom rathman have his longest runs in his career in those situations.

I don’t think Murray gets that TD at all

i don’t think Murray would have been quick enough to hole, and even if waddled his way through, he would have been tripped up by the one defender that tried to make a play on Ty’son…

 

[kface]

I don’t think Murray gets that TD at all

i don’t think Murray would have been quick enough to hole, and even if waddled his way through, he would have been tripped up by the one defender that tried to make a play on Ty’son…

Well it's all speculation but i think Murray is way better than you think he is.  He averaged 4.5 ypc last year and is a great receiving back.  

 

[DocHolliday]

What am I missing? Cannon had 2 carries for 5 yards

He is not a threat but played fast and quick.   Maybe that was mostly in comparison to Murray.   Williams is the future.   Not sure when that future starts.  Bell could earn touches and really create a mess.  

 

[kface]

He is not a threat but played fast and quick.   Maybe that was mostly in comparison to Murray.   Williams is the future.   Not sure when that future starts.  Bell could earn touches and really create a mess.  

Dobbins is the future with Edwards...

 

[Stealthycat]

highly concerned about Williams' role in the second half.  Murray was just off the street a couple days ago, doesn't know the playbook yet, but they trust him to be in for most of the second half?  He ends up with more carries than Williams?

yes and IMO Baltimore lost because of the change - will they see it that way or not remains to be seen 

 

[VaTerp]

Williams obviously has more speed and quickness and younger legs.  But lots of folks saying how slow/bad Murray looked and I think that's off base.  He looks like he's always looked to me.  A physical, one cut, downhill guy who was hit in the backfield on several carries.

Its entirely possible he's washed at age 31.  But I think that may be a bit premature.  He averaged 4.5 ypc just last season.  The fact that he was active over Bell and Freeman despite being signed just 4 days prior AND the fact that the coaching staff seemed to trust him in the 2nd half over Williams- again after being in town for just a couple of days bode well for him continuing to be a factor all season.

Very curious to hear Harbaugh's post game comments and interested in seeing if Bell is ever activated.

As it stands right now, Williams is a RB3 with some RB2 upside.  Great value however you acquired him.  And Murray is a RB4 with some RB3 upside.  Also offering value as he was most likely a FA pickup.

They will both be heavily TD dependent and have relatively low floors.  But isnt that most RBs these days outside the top 20?

 

[Faust]

I share this viewpoint:

Graham Barfield @GrahamBarfield

These targets were meant for J.K. Dobbins. Pain. Much pain.

https://twitter.com/grahambarfield/status/1437578727374802945?s=21

 

[[icon]]

As of now, in PPR:
Williams > Murray >>>> Bell >>>>>> Coleman

Odds they are active Week 4:
Williams: 100%
Murray: 95%
Bell: 40%
Coleman: 5% 

 

[TVT 0 N S T A]

Well it's all speculation but i think Murray is way better than you think he is.  He averaged 4.5 ypc last year and is a great receiving back.  

Didn't catch the game last night, huh?  Murray looked awful.  Sloth-like speed... given a ton of opportunity.  Williams could have scored the TD Murray had.  I cannot confidently say the same about Murray scoring that long run Williams had.

It seems Baltimore is having an identity crisis.  If they work on the option plays and get a little bit of pass protection figured out - Williams is far and away the best player in that backfield.  They should have stuck to the script in the first half, because they gave the game away in the second. 

Fantasy-wise, I don't care.  He is like my RB 6/7 but I seriously see a lot of talent, vision and speed... not sure what the Ravens saw out of Murray. 

 

[kface]

Didn't catch the game last night, huh?  Murray looked awful.  Sloth-like speed... given a ton of opportunity.  Williams could have scored the TD Murray had.  I cannot confidently say the same about Murray scoring that long run Williams had.

It seems Baltimore is having an identity crisis.  If they work on the option plays and get a little bit of pass protection figured out - Williams is far and away the best player in that backfield.  They should have stuck to the script in the first half, because they gave the game away in the second. 

Fantasy-wise, I don't care.  He is like my RB 6/7 but I seriously see a lot of talent, vision and speed... not sure what the Ravens saw out of Murray. 

I actually watched the whole game last night and minus the one play out of Williams I thought he looked mostly lost and that td my dad could have scored on.

That being said it's all speculation now and we shall see. Murray is a good back.  He had a  150 carries last year and averaged 4.5 ypc.  He has very limited tread on his tires.  Bell will be in play as well

 

[travdogg]

One thing I'm wondering too, is it possible that with a defense that has a lot of question marks, an OL that added pass blockers, the signing/drafting of Watkins/Bateman, and the RB injuries...Is Baltimore maybe just going to be more of a passing team than they have been to date with Lamar? 

Last night, it seemed like almost all of Jackson's runs were scrambles, not designed runs.