Week 6 vs. Tennessee Titans (London)
Gus Edwards had 48 yards on 12 carries last week against the Steelers. The Ravens struggled on offense and Edwards was never able to really get in a groove as the team converted only five of 14 third downs. He led the team in carries, but was out-snapped by Justice Hill, who also received four targets. Expect this timeshare to continue.
This week, Edwards has a decent matchup against a Titans defense that ranks 20th in aFPA to opposing running backs. If the Ravens can play well enough to stay in the lead, Edwards could put up RB2 numbers. However, with the time split he’s dealing with, it’s risky to assume he’ll get enough work to be worth starting. Consider him a low-end RB3 option, with even less upside in full-PPR formats.
Week 5 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Gus Edwards was held to just 3.2 yards per carry last week against a tough Browns defense, but he was given 17 total touches and led the backfield with 69% of the team’s offensive snaps. That kind of usage is a good sign for managers hoping to slot Edwards into their lineups, but it’s worth noting that Justice Hill saw 57% of Week 2 snaps in a more competitive game. Game script will likely determine the
Edwards has some upside this week against a struggling Pittsburgh team that ranks 25th in aFPA to opposing running backs. However, the upside is limited by the presence of multiple other backs in Baltimore, so we recommend using Edwards only as a RB3 or deep-league flex option. He has a decent floor as a two-down plugger, but his ceiling is capped by his role.
Week 3 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Gus Edwards split carries with Justice Hill last week, ending up with 10 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown. Hill received three targets, compared to zero for Edwards, so it appears we can see the roles the Ravens have envisioned for their committee backfield.
Edwards faces a Colts defense this week that held Dameon Pierce to just 2.1 yards per carry on 15 rush attempts last week. Hill is questionable heading into the weekend, so keep an eye on the inactives. If Hill misses the contest, Edwards gets a bump to fringe-RB2 territory, particularly in non-PPR leagues. If Hill plays, keep Edwards in the RB3 range.
Update: With Hill out, Edwards has upside as the primary back in this offense, although Melvin Gordon and/or Kenyan Drake loom.
Week 2 at Cincinnati Bengals
Gus Edwards had eight carries for 32 yards last week against the Texans, but his role looks to expand after an Achilles injury will rob J.K. Dobbins of another season. Edwards has been productive in spurts in the past, but he’ll have to contend with other backs on the roster and a rushing quarterback for fantasy production.
Nick Chubb averaged 5.9 yards per carry against the Bengals last week, but Cincinnati allowed the fourth-fewest adjust fantasy points to opposing running backs last season according to our aFPA tool. With a timeshare likely with Justice Hill - and always Lamar Jackson - Edwards has a decent floor but a limited ceiling. We have him ranked just outside RB3 territory, but he should definitely be rostered.
Week 1 vs. Houston Texans
Gus Edwards was limited to just nine games last year after missing the entire 2021 season with an ACL injury. He still managed 433 yards and three touchdowns. He is one of the few backup running backs who has shown the ability to produce in a starting role when given the opportunity and he had at least 700 yards in each of his first three seasons. He has some upside against the Texans this week, especially if the Ravens get up early and stop throwing the ball. Still, J.K. Dobbins is the starting running back, and until that changes, it’s risky to bank on blowouts and change-of-pace work for Edwards in most fantasy leagues. Roster him as Dobbins insurance, but otherwise, leave him on the bench while he’s relegated to backup duties.
Fantasy Upside
For a backup running back, Gus Edwards has always held a little more value than meets the eye. He had three straight seasons with over 700 rushing yards in a complementary role before tearing his ACL just before the 2021 season kicked off. A slow return held him to nine games in 2022, but he averaged an impressive 5.0 yards per carry and scored three touchdowns. Edwards will play a role in this offense, and if the injury bug starts to hit the rest of the Baltimore skill position players again, Edwards has shown he’s capable of stepping in and producing RB2 numbers. He’s probably one of the best handcuffs in fantasy football.
Fantasy Downside
While it’s nice to envision a world where Edwards gets a full workload every week, J.K. Dobbins is expected to be the lead back. Also, the presence of Lamar Jackson always makes Baltimore running backs a risk for losing touchdown opportunities in short-yardage situations.
2023 Bottom Line
Edwards should be viewed as a back-of-the-roster stash option for fantasy managers looking to capitalize on the heavy and brutal attrition that besets the running back position annually. He has some standalone value in very deep leagues because he does have a role, but he’s best viewed as one of the best handcuff opportunities.
Week 17 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Gus Edwards had 11 carries for 99 yards against the Falcons last week. He’s a risky option, but clearly has a role as part of the Ravens’ one-two (and sometimes three) punch in the backfield. Expect him to get another 8-12 carries this week against the Steelers, but in a tough matchup and a crowded backfield, he should be considered a risky, low-end flex option at best.
Week 16 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Gus Edwards gained 55 yards on seven carries last week in a loss to the Browns, but he only saw 17% of the team’s offensive snaps and the Ravens look lost without Lamar Jackson and most of their receiving corps. Edwards is firmly behind J.K. Dobbins in the run game, and Baltimore preferred Justice Hill on passing downs with all three backs healthy last week. Edwards has upside if the Ravens run away with this game, but that seems unlikely with the state of their offense. We have him ranked outside starter territory and he should be on fantasy benches in Week 16.
Week 15 at Cleveland Browns
Gus Edwards had 13 carries for 66 yards last week as he shared time with J.K. Dobbins, fresh off injury. Edwards will likely continue to have a role in this offense, but the presence of Dobbins definitely limits his upside. Edwards has a great matchup against the Browns this week, so there’s some potential for him, but in most leagues, he’s too risky to start while Dobbins is active.
Week 14 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Gus Edwards followed 16 carries in Week 12 with just six last week against the Broncos. Such is the Baltimore running game nowadays, and fantasy managers were burned to the tune of just 12 yards on 2.0 yards per carry. In theory, Edwards is the starting running back, but with Kenyan Drake potentially stealing carries at any moment and even the potential return of J.K. Dobbins, he’s too risky to trust in most leagues. Stay away from this backfield for now, but stash all the pieces for later - just in case we see any amount of consistency in workload down the stretch.
