When the Baltimore Ravens selected Justice Hill in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State, the front office envisioned injecting a dynamic, explosive element into a backfield dominated by the bruising frames of Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards. Drafted with the pedigree of a productive college workhorse despite a slight build, Hill arrived in Baltimore heralded for his elite speed—highlighted by a blazing 4.40-second time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine—alongside remarkable elusiveness and open-field balance. Analysts frequently compared his profile to undersized playmakers who defied expectations, and his ability to make defenders miss in space seemed tailor-made for an innovative rushing attack orchestrated around Lamar Jackson.
Yet, translating those collegiate traits to the professional level proved to be a winding and arduous road for the young running back. During his rookie campaign, Hill barely saw the field as a runner, with Jackson himself providing the electricity and primary rushing dynamism of the offense. Hill was largely relegated to the background, trusted sparingly on passing downs and handed the ball primarily during the late stages of lopsided blowouts. Observers noted that while his elusiveness was undeniable, occasional flaws in vision often cost him valuable running room after the first or second missed tackle. Furthermore, he entered the league with limited receiving polish, having managed just 304 receiving yards across three seasons at Oklahoma State, leaving him searching for a defined role as the Ravens continued to lean heavily on their established veterans.
The competitive landscape of Baltimore’s backfield only grew more crowded in subsequent drafts and free agency periods, continually pushing Hill down the depth chart. The selection of J.K. Dobbins in the second round of the 2020 draft further complicated Hill’s path to relevance. During the 2020 season, the Ravens led the entire NFL with a staggering 555 rushing attempts, with Jackson, Dobbins, and Edwards accounting for a massive 77.2 percent of those carries. Veteran Mark Ingram commanded a 12 percent rushing share, which effectively represented the ceiling for what Hill’s workload projection might have been had the primary ball carriers remained healthy. Hill was in clear danger of entering his third professional season as an afterthought, struggling to carve out a consistent niche within the offensive scheme.
The adversity deepened dramatically just as an opportunity appeared to materialize. When Dobbins suffered a season-ending injury that placed him on injured reserve, it seemed Hill might finally secure a meaningful backup role. However, disaster struck just days before Week 1, when reports surfaced that Hill had suffered a severe Achilles tendon tear during a practice session. For any running back, an Achilles injury represents one of the most devastating physical setbacks imaginable, threatening not only explosive speed but an entire career trajectory. Entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2022, Hill faced a steep uphill battle for both roster survival and fantasy football relevance, especially with Dobbins and Edwards working their way back from their own major injuries, and the team bringing in additional depth pieces like Mike Davis and sixth-rounder Tyler Badie.
Despite the overwhelming odds and the physical toll of his rehabilitation, Hill staged a remarkable professional resurgence in 2022. Having come a long way since the 2021 Achilles tear that could easily have derailed his career entirely, Hill attacked his recovery with a determination that quietly endeared him to the Ravens organization. In his first season back on the field, he turned in arguably his most efficient professional stretch to that point, averaging an impressive 5.3 yards per carry across 49 rushing attempts and securing all 12 of his targets in the passing game. Notably, only Kenyan Drake played more backfield snaps for Baltimore that season than Hill, though that statistic required the crucial context that Dobbins and Edwards were carefully eased back into action following their own missed time. With those primary backs returning to full health, Hill projected to break subsequent training camps as the definitive third running back on the depth chart, fighting off challenges from undrafted rookies like Keaton Mitchell.
That grit and perseverance laid the groundwork for a true turning point during the 2024 NFL season. Having previously appeared to be one of the weaker backup running backs across the league as Baltimore entered prior years, Hill steadily strengthened his grip on his role as the 2024 campaign progressed. While his rushing workload remained modest at 47 carries, it was his evolution as a pass-catcher that truly transformed his value. By maintaining and expanding upon his receiving gains, Hill cemented himself as one of the league’s most effective passing-down specialists. His extensive collegiate experience as a workhorse at Oklahoma State meant that he retained the instincts and toughness required to handle a heavier load, positioning him as a capable candidate to step in as the Ravens’ leading rushing back should superstar acquisition Derrick Henry ever miss time.
The arrival of Henry in Baltimore ahead of the 2024 offseason introduced a new dynamic to the backfield, transforming a long-standing committee approach into an offense anchored by a true bell-cow runner. While Henry brought a reputation for handling immense workloads from his years with the Tennessee Titans—potentially seeing significantly more touches than Gus Edwards had commanded the previous year—Hill successfully carved out an indispensable niche alongside him. Rather than being marginalized by the marquee signing, Hill complemented the star rusher’s physical style with his own brand of explosive versatility out of the backfield, all while continuing to fend off competition for backup snaps from fellow contributors like Keaton Mitchell as they navigated their own recoveries from injury.
Reflecting on his journey from a promising yet raw fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma State to a trusted, highly effective veteran component of a Super Bowl contender, Hill’s path offers a testament to resilience. From battling through devastating lower-body injuries to outlasting external roster additions and shifting offensive philosophies, he evolved from a situational depth piece into a reliable weapon. Whether contributing crucial yards on third-down conversions, exploiting open space in the passing game, or standing ready to shoulder the rushing load if called upon, Justice Hill has firmly established his value within the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive scheme.
