CBS Sport: Ravens close in to sign Chiefs sensational RB in a blockbuster deal.

Derrick Henry, a two-time NFL rushing champion, should have settled the Baltimore Ravens’ running back position this offseason, but injuries have left the depth chart looking thin, something Super Bowl winner Jerick McKinnon would address.

Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report has identified him as a fit for the Ravens to add right now. The rationale behind the fit is that “maintaining Derrick Henry healthy for the final stretch and the postseason will be a crucial goal all season long.” The Ravens are not prepared to do it at this time.

“Keaton Mitchell will start the season on the PUP list and Owen Wright was placed on injured reserve,” as Ballentine noted.

The solution to a shortage of stats is to have faith in McKinnon, even at his advanced age: “A pass-catching back like Jerick McKinnon can still be useful, though. Despite being 32 years old, he had 56 receptions for 512 yards and 10 touchdowns in a single season before.

McKinnon would be a unique addition to the Baltimore backfield thanks to his specialized receiving abilities. McKinnon’s abilities were useful as he assisted the Kansas City Chiefs in winning the previous two Super Bowls.

A legitimate pass-catcher out of the backfield is lacking for the Ravens. While Henry is good in this area, his running game is primarily focused on exploiting defenders. Henry is thirty years old.

Justice Hill, Henry’s main backup, has a similar story. The latter provides quickness when turning a corner on the ground, but Hill has only made 53 career catches.

In contrast, McKinnon has a proven track record as a receiver. A career total of 338 receptions and 22 passing touchdowns demonstrates McKinnon’s untapped potential in a particular position.

Although McKinnon’s effectiveness is greatest in the red zone, the veteran can be a valuable check-down target from any position on the field. Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports highlights a play in which McKinnon outran linebacker Devin Lloyd and the Jacksonville Jaguars. His agility and comprehension of route principles create mismatches against all sorts of coverage.

McKinnon is rated as a quarterback-friendly target because of plays like these. By producing simple reads and rapid throws, he would ease the workload of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Additionally, McKinnon would provide offensive coordinator Todd Monken the latitude to create more intricate passing schemes. By moving McKinnon across formations, the Chiefs might create mismatches in space and shuffle defenders about, similar to how they moved him into the slot for a touchdown grab against the Denver Broncos in 2023, according to Next Gen Stats.