PFF: Ravens rushers top-10 in yards after contact

The Baltimore Ravens went back to their hard-nosed ways during the 2017 season, going to a power running scheme under tight ends coach and running game coordinator Greg Roman. According to Pro Football Focus, the commitment to the running game paid off, with Ravens rushers gaining 1,088 yards after contact.

The Ravens boosted their rushing attack from the 2016, to the 2017 season. Baltimore finished 28th in rushing yardage in 2016, with 1,463 rushing yards. The team finished 11th in 2017, with 1,856 rushing yards.

Contributing to the eighth-ranked rushing attack after contact were the likes of running backs Alex Collins, Buck Allen and Danny Woodhead. Collins, 23, stood out the most, gaining 973 rushing yards, scoring six touchdowns and carrying the ball 4.6 yards per carry. Allen, 26, was next, gaining 591 rushing yards, four touchdowns and had 3.9 yards per carry. Though Woodhead, 33, only had 14 rushes, he carried the ball 4.0 yards per carry.

Despite the tough running game in 2017, Baltimore could look to upgrade their rushing attack through the 2018 NFL Draft. Kenneth Dixon, who was slated to be Baltimore’s starting running back, missed the entirety of the 2017 season with a knee injury. Though he will be back, Baltimore could look to add the likes of LSU’s Derrius Guice in the first round to take their rushing attack to the next level.