Ravens sign Mark Ingram: Grade, analysis, reaction
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.
Former Saints’ RB Mark Ingram intends to sign a three-year, $15 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens, per @diannaESPN and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
Source: The #Ravens have now locked RB Mark Ingram on a 3-year deal worth $15M. @MikeSilver said it was coming yesterday. Just got done.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2019
National Reaction
ESPN Ravens’ reporter Jamison Hensley was complimentary of Ingram’s production and intangible value.
Ravens land their targeted RB in Mark Ingram. Will he keep defensive coordinators up at night like Le'Veon Bell? No. But Ingram has been an efficient runner, a big-time producer in the red zone and a valuable leader.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) March 13, 2019
ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett was similarly complimentary of Ingram.
Mark Ingram will be missed in New Orleans both on and off the field, but this should be a great opportunity for him to be a leading man on another good team that likes to run the ball. Congrats to him. https://t.co/3qBR38aUcH
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) March 13, 2019
Going back five seasons, Ingram has been a pretty prolific touchdown scorer.
It's a double-dip for the @Ravens who intend to sign Mark Ingram!
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 13, 2019
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
. RB. Baltimore Ravens. MARK INGRAM. B
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.
Ravens RB situation:
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) March 13, 2019
1. Mark Ingram
2. Gus Edwards
3. Kenneth Dixon
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.
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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.