The Baltimore Ravens have made an addition in free agency on Sunday, signing veteran running back and return specialist Kenjon Barner, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The #Ravens are expected to sign free agent RB Kenjon Barner, pending physical, per source. The veteran spent last season with the #Falcons and should help in the return game.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2020
Barner does not have much in the stat category when it comes to actual offense. In 67 career games, he has just 100 carries for 416 yards (4.2 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. He also has 28 receptions for another 152 yards in the air.
However, it is special teams where he makes his mark, as a return man. The new Ravens return man is averaging 7.7 yards per punt return in his career with one touchdown. That touchdown came last season. He has two punt returns for over 75 yards as well.
Meanwhile, Barner has over 1,000 career kick return yards, averaging 23.4 yards per return in his career.
The running back and return man spent four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and two with the Carolina Panthers (although they were separated by a few years), before playing with the Atlanta Falcons in 2019.
Last season, Baltimore averaged just 18.3 yards per kick return. They had no kick return over 50 yards and no punt return over 25 yards.
Barner could give the Ravens a very nice boost in that category. And imagine MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and that absolutely lethal offense getting to play with some shorter fields on occasion. That could be deadly.
Barner is the type of player that will not get much love or recognition. Especially outside of the fanbase of the team he is currently on. But he plays an extremely important role in the game. That could be a serious difference maker for the Ravens in 2020.
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