Does Mark Ingram make sense for Raiders in 2021?

The Baltimore Ravens got a head start on the NFL cutting season by releasing several players, including veteran running back Mark Ingram, who was officially cut on Tuesday.

Ingram won’t be eligible to be claimed on waivers until after next month’s Super Bowl. But, it’s likely Ingram will go unclaimed because he has $5 million remaining on his 2021 contract ... that’s a lot of money for a 31-year-old running back coming off an injury-filled season.

Yet, if Ingram becomes a free agent, he could interest the Raiders.

It seems like Raiders coach Jon Gruden will always be in the market for a backup running back behind starter Josh Jacobs, a former Alabama star like Ingram was.

Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Devontae Booker, the Raiders’ 2020 backup to Jacobs, is a free agent and he could hit the market.

Ingram seems to fit the Gruden profile. He has been a successful veteran, who has leadership ability. He weighs 215 pounds and Gruden loves bigger tailbacks.

Ingram missed five games and had just 72 rush attempts in 2020. However, he surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing yardage milestone in three of the previous four seasons.

I don’t see Ingram being a priority for the Raiders this offseason, but now that he is going to hit the market, it’s worth considering.