Ravens Not Expected To Pursue Todd Gurley II At This Point
The Baltimore Ravens are not expected to pursue free agent running back Todd Gurley II at this point in time, according to Josina Anderson. The Ravens appear to be content with what they currently have at running back, despite losing J.K. Dobbins (knee) for the season. Gus Edwards will open the year as the Ravens' No. 1 running back and should be shooting up draft boards over the next week. Rookie running back Ty'Son Williams is also someone worth targeting late in drafts as he appears settled in as the Ravens' No. 2 back ahead of Justice Hill. Gurley, meanwhile, could still draw interest from other running back-needy teams or he could draw interest from the Ravens later this year. There's no need to draft or roster Gurley in any fantasy league for now.
Free-agent running back Todd Gurley II could be a favorite to join the Ravens. With Baltimore potentially losing J.K. Dobbins (knee) for the season, the former Georgia Bulldog may be in the running to fill the void. After spending years as one of the most elite fantasy options available, knee issues derailed things. He finished last year with the Falcons by racking up 678 yards and nine touchdowns off 195 carries and adding 25 catches for 164 yards. Still, as long as the veteran can remain healthy moving ahead, he could thrive in Baltimore's run-heavy offensive approach. However, he will need to be signed first, which isn't guaranteed to happen, although managers may benefit by stashing him immediately, especially those in deeper PPR formats. If Gurley does get a deal, Gus Edwards would see his fantasy stock slightly decrease, although he would still have a semi-prominent role moving ahead.
The Los Angeles Rams clearly don't believe that free-agent running back Todd Gurley II can be effective in the running game anymore, even in a rotation, due to the knee injuries that they had to deal with for the entire 2019 season. It's why they eventually cut him early in 2020 despite owing him a lot more money -- they're still on the hook for $8.4 million in dead money from his contract in 2021. Gurley would also have to agree to a reunion, which he might not want after the way things ended in LA. The Rams are content to roll into training camp without pursuing other free-agent running backs like Duke Johnson, Le'Veon Bell, Adrian Peterson, Devonta Freeman, Chris Thompson, Bo Scarbrough and Kenjon Barner. It's a vote of confidence for Darrell Henderson Jr., who now has clear RB2 upside with Cam Akers (Achilles) out for the season.
Former Pro Bowl running back Todd Gurley II is visiting with the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, according to a source. The former Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons runner also recently visited the Detroit Lions. If Gurley were to join Baltimore, he'd be joining a crowded backfield that also includes J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill. Gurley, who just hasn't been the same since dealing with chronic knee issues, would likely serve in more of a complementary role next to Dobbins and Edwards if he were to sign with the Ravens. The 26-year-old had career-lows in carries (195) and rushing yards (678) while posting 3.5 yards per carry and nine rushing touchdowns. Gurley added 25 receptions for 164 yards through the air. Even though Baltimore's offense is a run-first unit, Gurley would have a rather low ceiling in this crowded backfield.
Free-agent running back Todd Gurley II is visiting with the Detroit Lions on Thursday, according to a source. If he were to sign with Detroit, Gurley would be reunited with quarterback Jared Goff and join the backfield with another former Georgia standout in D'Andre Swift. Gurley, a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro with the Los Angeles Rams, posted career-lows in carries (195) and rushing yards (678) in his lone season with the Atlanta Falcons last season. The 26-year-old has aged very quickly in today's NFL, and chronic knee issues haven't helped his cause. At this point in his career, Gurley is no longer a workhorse running back, and he'd likely fill more of a complementary role behind Swift alongside Jamaal Williams if he were to sign with the Lions.
Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley II carried the ball nine times for just 18 rushing yards in a 44-27 loss to Tampa Bay. Gurley added a catch for 17 yards as he finished the season with a dud. The 26-year-old recorded 195 carries, a new career-low, for 678 rushing yards and nine touchdowns after signing a one-year deal with Atlanta this past offseason. He often ran unimpressively and looked less explosive at times than backfield mates Brian Hill and Ito Smith, not to mention that his fantasy value was largely carried by his ability to find the end zone. With a new head coach and general manager likely on the way in, Gurley could very well find himself looking for a new place to call home this offseason. He won't come anywhere close to his 2020 ADP of 29 in 2021, though he could have some value depending on where he lands.
Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley II finished with four carries for 16 yards and three receptions for 34 yards on three targets in the loss to Kansas City. Gurley hasn't been all that effective recently and his demotion to team RB2 doesn't help his case. The back has had single-digit carries and less than 30 rushing yards in the last five games. He isn't worth starting in the season finale given his recent drop in production.
Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley II has now become the RB2 on the team for the last two games after Ito Smith was assigned the lead role. In the past few games, Gurley hasn't performed well at all. He has had less than 10 carries and 30 rushing yards in the past four games, including only getting one carry for -1 yards last week. The back is not worth starting this week given his recent dip in production and his now smaller role.
Atlanta Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris said that running back Ito Smith is the team's leading running back right now over Todd Gurley II. Gurley will serve as Smith's backup heading into Week 16 against the Chiefs after he managed only 34 rushing yards in the last three games. Gurley had one attempt for minus-one yard in the Week 15 loss to the Buccaneers. Morris said Gurley's demotion is not about his knee and more about Smith's recent play. Smith had 65 yards on 12 attempts (5.42 yards per carry) and a touchdown when Gurley sat out in Week 12, and he's averaging 4.3 yards per attempt this year for 213 rushing yards in 12 games. While Smith is seeing more opportunities, Brian Hill is also being mixed in, making this a backfield to avoid, if at all possible. Smith will be a low-upside RB3/flex for Week 16 against KC.
Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley II carried the ball once for negative yardage and caught two passes for 15 receiving yards in a loss to Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers' stingy run defense was in full effect, as the Falcons totaled just 37 rushing yards on 13 attempts as an offense. The veteran back doesn't appear to be fully recovered from his knee injury, as he was out-touched by fellow backs Ito Smith and Brian Hill. While a Week 16 matchup with the Chiefs looks like a bounce-back opportunity, it seems like Gurley is trending in the wrong direction.
