Regardless of NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero reporting Kareem Hunt obtained 4 contract presents this summer season, the one-time Professional Bowl operating again stays unsigned one week into the 2023 season.
With backfields taking form throughout the NFL and the harm bug placing early, listed below are three potential touchdown spots for the previous NFL speeding champ:
Baltimore Ravens
The obvious suitor for Hunt is likely to be the group least prone to signal the 28-year-old. After shedding beginning operating again JK Dobbins to a season-ending Achilles harm within the opener, head coach John Harbaugh insinuated to reporters that the group has no plan so as to add a operating again.
Whereas the Ravens might get by with the trio of Gus Edwards, Justice Hill and Melvin Gordon, these gamers supply restricted ability units. Edwards has caught 18 passes over his five-year profession. Hill has by no means carried the ball greater than 58 occasions in a single season. Gordon, whereas a former Professional Bowler, seems to be on the downslide of his profession after averaging simply 3.5 YPC with the Denver Broncos in 2022.
Hunt’s 211 receptions since 2017 rank Eleventh-most amongst NFL operating backs. Over the past three seasons, he averaged 565 speeding yards enjoying behind Nick Chubb for the Cleveland Browns.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts may very well be getting again Zack Moss this week after he suffered a damaged arm in coaching camp. Nonetheless, they positioned rookie Evan Hull on injured reserve with a knee harm on Tuesday and have restricted depth on the place.
Moss ranked seventh within the NFL with 334 speeding yards over the ultimate 4 weeks of final season. But, much like Edwards in Baltimore, Moss provides minimal upside within the passing recreation. He is hauled in simply 11 receptions over his final 13 video games. Deon Jackson did catch 5 of six targets in Week 1, however he misplaced two fumbles and averaged 1.1 YPC on 13 carries.
The Colts must take stress off quarterback Anthony Richardson. Including a dual-threat again like Hunt would do exactly that.
Los Angeles Chargers
Chargers beginning operating again Austin Ekeler injured his ankle within the group’s Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins. If Ekeler cannot go in Week 2, the Bolts would flip to backup Joshua Kelley, who rushed for 91 yards and a landing this previous Sunday.
Whereas the start of his 2023 marketing campaign was promising, Kelley has averaged simply 3.6 YPC in 38 profession video games. He is additionally removed from the elite receiving menace that Ekeler is out of the backfield, catching simply 18 passes during the last two years.
The extent of Ekeler’s harm presumably determines how a lot the Chargers entertain including exterior expertise on the place. But, with mirroring ability units, Hunt could be the best candidate to spell Ekeler in Los Angeles’ backfield.
