Justice Hill could be Ravens’ overlooked offensive weapon
· Yahoo Sports
Amid discussions about new head coach Jesse Minter and three new coordinators, there remains buzz about Lamar Jackson's offseason OTA attendance. That leads to discussions about an exciting rookie class. It's easy for a player like Justice Hill to fade into the background. That's understandable. The Baltimore Ravens possess no shortage of storylines entering training camp.
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However, championship teams are often built as much by their supporting cast as they are by their stars. In Baltimore's case, Hill may prove to be one of the most important supporting pieces on the roster.
The former fourth-round selection isn't expected to challenge Derrick Henry for carries. He isn't expected to become the focal point of the offense. What he can do is provide valuable relief for one of the most heavily utilized running backs in NFL history. That role may be more important than ever.
Henry has exceeded 300 carries in each of the Ravens' last two seasons. He has also surpassed that mark in five of the past seven years. While the future Hall of Famer continues defying the normal aging curve for running backs, common sense suggests Baltimore should be looking for ways to preserve him whenever possible. That's where Hill enters the conversation.
He returns from the neck injury that landed him on injured reserve last November. Hill has an opportunity to become the ideal complement to Henry in what could be one of the league's best backfields.
Expect a larger Justice Hill workload than some realize, hopefully
The Ravens have never been shy about using multiple running backs. Even when Henry is carrying the offense, there are opportunities available for a trusted backup.
Hill's versatility as both a runner and receiver makes him an ideal candidate to handle those snaps. Five carries per game feels like a reasonable expectation.
Across a full 17-game season, that would place him around 85 rushing attempts. Throw in a few games where Baltimore is protecting a late lead, and reaching the 100-carry mark isn't unrealistic. That workload would keep Henry fresh while giving Hill enough opportunities to make a meaningful impact.
Something between 450 and 500 rushing yards feels attainable
Hill has quietly been an efficient runner throughout much of his NFL career. After averaging 3.9 yards per carry as a rookie, he has generally settled into the mid-to-upper four-yard range.
At his best, he has averaged more than five yards per attempt while providing explosive-play ability when given opportunities. Assuming a workload between 85 and 100 carries, somewhere between 450 and 500 rushing yards feels reasonable.
Those numbers won't place him among the league leaders, but that's not the objective. Baltimore needs efficiency, reliability, and enough production to prevent Henry from carrying an unsustainable burden. Hill is capable of providing all three.
Justice Hill's receiving ability should remain part of the offense
Hill may not receive the same attention as Baltimore's wide receivers or tight ends, but he remains a useful weapon in the passing game. The Ravens haven't heavily featured him as a receiver throughout his career, yet he has consistently shown he can handle that responsibility when called upon. His quickness and familiarity with the offense make him a dependable outlet option for Jackson. A season featuring roughly 30 receptions and 250 receiving yards seems well within reach. Those aren't eye-popping numbers, but they would represent another valuable layer to Baltimore's offense. More importantly, they would allow the Ravens to continue finding creative ways to get the football into the hands of one of their more versatile playmakers.
Touchdowns may be harder to find
Projecting touchdowns becomes difficult whenever Derrick Henry is involved. Simply put, Baltimore's offense still revolves around its 'King' near the goal line. Henry remains one of football's most effective short-yardage runners, and there is little reason to expect that to change this season. That naturally limits Hill's scoring opportunities.
Still, five total touchdowns feels like a realistic target. Whether those scores come as a runner, receiver, or some combination of both, that total would represent a productive season given his expected role within the offense.
The biggest contribution may not appear in the box score. Ultimately, Hill's value cannot be measured solely through statistics. If he helps reduce Henry's workload by 80 to 100 carries over the course of a season, that accomplishment could prove invaluable when December and January arrive.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Why Justice Hill may be key to Ravens’ offensive balance