Fantasy Football: Ravens top free agent pick up, Ingram 2019 projections

by Matt Bachota · Published May 31, 2019 · Updated May 31, 2019

Mark Ingram was signed as one of the Baltimore Ravens top running back options following a stint of eight seasons with the New Orleans Saints.

Drafted by the Saints in the first-round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Ingram appeared in 106 games. In that time Ingram ranks first in yards per carry (4.73) and second in yards after contact per attempt (2.10) among running backs with 650-plus carries over the past six seasons according to ESPN. In those eight seasons with the Saints, Ingram set the franchise rushing touchdown record (50) and finished the 2018 season 90 yards shy of breaking Deuce McAllister’s franchise rushing yards record.

Ingram who is 29 years of age has also been almost an unstoppable force near the goal line where he is second in the NFL with 39 rushing touchdowns over the past five seasons. As one of the feature back options in the league’s most run-heavy offense, Ingram has a chance to clear his previous career high of 230 carries set in 2017. However with the likes of Gus Edwards, and Kenneth Dixon is the backfield his receiving contributions figure to be limited. Back in February Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh made the comment that Gus Edwards would be the lead back for the Ravens, but would have competition going forward. So whether Edwards, or Ingram will lead the team in touches week one is yet to be seen.

Once Lamar Jackson took over as the Ravens starting quarterback in Week 11, the Ravens offense went 64% run heavy. That percentage was easily the highest rate in the NFL. In that span, Ravens running backs ranked fourth in success rate (55%), second in carries per game (24.9), and first in yards per carry (5.3). Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards and Kenneth Dixon are going to feast in the Ravens offense.

It’s a double-dip for the @Ravens who intend to sign Mark Ingram!

Good luck stopping them in the Red Zone, where only Todd Gurley has had more rushing TD than Ingram over the last 5 seasons. pic.twitter.com/N74GufEAEY
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 13, 2019