Is Baltimore Ravens RB Kenneth Dixon the favorite to win starting job?

The Baltimore Ravens drafted runningback Kenneth Dixon in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft (134th overall out of Louisiana Tech) and he may very well be the favorite to win the starting spot at his position during the 2016 preseason. Dixon is that good. When you look at Dixon, his game is very similar to what former Ravens runningback Ray Rice was for this team especially from 2008-2012.

Rice was an all-purpose back for the Ravens playing all three downs. His size and quickness allowed him to squeeze through small running lanes and bursting open for a big gain in the process. Rice had the ability to create room where there was no room. Rice led the NFL in yards from scrimmage from 2009-2012. Dixon, who has 87 career touchdowns in college (Second in NCAA history to his Ravens teammate in Keenan Reynolds who has 88) has the trait of a pass catching runningback

Ravens runningback Justin Forsett, who has been the starter in of the last seasons, has the intelligence and the ability to fit through small running lanes. Forsett however does not have the pass catching ability the Dixon has. That's OK because there are not a lot of runningbacks in the NFL who have the pass catching abilities that Dixon has.

The biggest problem that Dixon has (Like Ravens backup runningback Buck Allen) is taking care of the football. Over his last three seasons at Louisiana Tech, Dixon had 13 fumbles and if he wants to showcase his talents, he is going to need to take care of the football. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh disciplined Allen in week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs after fumbling the football two weeks in a row.

Overall

The runningback spot for the Ravens looks like an open competition from the outside looking in. The Ravens do not have a long term investment at the position so it is easy for the team to take a wait and see approach and let every player involved fight for a right to stay on the team.