Kareem Hunt’s 2023 NFL Comeback: Top 3 Landing Spots!

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nfl kareem hunt landing spots

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1 Baltimore Ravens
2 Indianapolis Colts
3 Los Angeles Chargers

Despite NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reporting that Kareem Hunt received four contract offers this summer, the former Pro Bowl running back remains unsigned one week into the 2023 season.

As backfields across the NFL are solidifying and injuries are taking their toll early on, let’s explore three potential landing spots for the former NFL rushing champion:

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens might seem like an unlikely fit for Hunt, especially after losing their starting running back, JK Dobbins, to a season-ending Achilles injury in the season opener. Head coach John Harbaugh hinted to reporters that the team currently has no plans to add a running back.

While the Ravens do have Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, and Melvin Gordon in their backfield, these players possess somewhat limited skill sets. Edwards has only caught 18 passes in his five-year career, Hill has never carried the ball more than 58 times in a single season, and Gordon, despite being a former Pro Bowler, appears to be in the twilight of his career after averaging just 3.5 yards per carry with the Denver Broncos in 2022. In contrast, Hunt has demonstrated his versatility with 211 receptions since 2017 and a solid rushing average playing alongside Nick Chubb for the Cleveland Browns.

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts could potentially see the return of Zack Moss this week following his recovery from a broken arm suffered in training camp. However, they recently placed rookie Evan Hull on injured reserve due to a knee injury, leaving them with limited depth at the running back position.

Moss showed promise by ranking seventh in the NFL with 334 rushing yards over the final four weeks of the previous season. Still, like Edwards in Baltimore, Moss lacks significant upside in the passing game, with just 11 receptions over his last 13 games. Deon Jackson did catch five of six targets in Week 1, but he also fumbled twice and averaged a mere 1.1 yards per carry on 13 attempts.

To relieve pressure on quarterback Anthony Richardson, the Colts could benefit from adding a dual-threat back like Hunt.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers found themselves in a precarious situation as their starting running back, Austin Ekeler, sustained an ankle injury in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. If Ekeler can’t play in Week 2, the Chargers would turn to backup Joshua Kelley, who had a promising performance with 91 rushing yards and a touchdown in the last game.

However, Kelley has averaged just 3.6 yards per carry in his 38 career games and doesn’t offer the same receiving prowess as Ekeler out of the backfield, with only 18 receptions over the last two years.

The extent of Ekeler’s injury will likely determine the Chargers’ interest in adding external talent at the position. Nevertheless, with a skill set similar to Ekeler’s, Kareem Hunt would be the ideal candidate to complement the Los Angeles Chargers’ backfield.

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