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2026 NFL backfield

Baltimore Ravens running backs

The current roster, the published replacement plan and the production behind each player’s role.

The published backfield plan

Published starter

Derrick Henry

Preferred handcuff

Justice Hill

Hill is the change-up, not a Henry clone

Committee uncertainty: an absence could spread work across several backs.

View Derrick Henry’s handcuff breakdown

Week 7 analysis published .

The game covered by this analysis has started or finished. This is a record of that window, not a recommendation for the next game.

How the work could change

Baltimore has no running back on today's league-wide Week 7 inactive list, so Derrick Henry, Hill and Rasheen Ali are all dressed against Cincinnati. Hill is the passing-down back and Lamar Jackson's trusted protector (18 carries, 10 catches in six games) and is the back Baltimore has pointed to as the fallback; Ali's work is almost entirely kick returns with no carries this season. Hill is free almost everywhere, and what would have to happen for him to matter is a Henry absence - and even then the realistic outcome is that Hill keeps passing downs while Baltimore splits early work rather than handing him a 15-carry role. Fact: depth order and usage. Projection: the size of the share.

No Ravens running back is on the Week 7 inactive list; Adam Randall remains on injured reserve. Henry has shown no designation and carried a full workload, so this room is a contingency plan rather than an active situation. Hill stays the receiving and protection complement, with Rasheen Ali behind him as the kickoff returner who has yet to take a 2026 carry.

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The full backfield depth chart

Every running back and fullback assigned to Baltimore Ravens, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.

Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Tue, Oct 27, 2:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.

Baltimore Ravens full running back depth chart
Feed orderPlayerScouting roleDraft investmentRoster status
RB1
Derrick HenryPublished starter		Three-down back2016 · Round 2 · Pick 45active
RB2
Justice HillPublished handcuff		Receiving back2019 · Round 4 · Pick 113active
RB3
Rasheen Ali		Change-of-pace back2024 · Round 5 · Pick 165active
RB4
Adam Randall		Role under review2026 · Round 5 · Pick 174injured reserve
Unlisted
Jonathan Ward		Role under reviewDraft history unavailablepractice squad
Unlisted
Lucas Scott		FullbackDraft history unavailablepractice squad

Every back: role, upside and obstacles

The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.

RB1 · Three-down back

Derrick Henry

Age 32 · 11 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Baltimore's unquestioned workhorse, showing no decline at 32: 26 carries for 89 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 3 win over Dallas, six rushing touchdowns and roughly 100 rushing yards per game through three games. Age and accumulated mileage remain the only real risks in the profile.

Scouting assessment saved Mon, Sep 28, 3:52 AM EDT. This assessment is older than 14 days or has an invalid date; current-role review is needed.

Path to more work

He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2016 · Round 2 · Pick 45

Drafted by TEN; not necessarily his current team.

Early-round investment is part of his prospect pedigree and may support a chance to develop. It does not guarantee the next workload, especially after a team change.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 7 recorded games include 147 carries and 10 receptions on 12 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB2 · Receiving back

Justice Hill

Age 28 · 8 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Baltimore's passing-down back and Lamar Jackson's trusted protector, described by the team as a runner, receiver and blocker who spells Henry rather than replacing him. Henry's 26-carry Week 3 shows the split is unchanged. If Henry missed time Hill would keep passing downs and share early work, not inherit a 15-carry role.

Scouting assessment saved Mon, Sep 28, 3:52 AM EDT. This assessment is older than 14 days or has an invalid date; current-role review is needed.

Path to more work

The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind Derrick Henry. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Derrick Henry. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A receiving specialist can retain passing-down work without becoming the lead runner. A bigger rushing role could go to a different teammate even if this player appears higher on the chart.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2019 · Round 4 · Pick 113

Drafted by BAL; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 7 recorded games include 21 carries and 13 receptions on 17 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB3 · Change-of-pace back

Rasheen Ali

Age 25 · 3 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Third back and Baltimore's primary kickoff returner, with most of his snaps on special teams. The team's own July camp preview framed him as competing for the No. 3 job rather than for offensive touches, and Henry's Week 3 workload leaves no rotation behind him. Hill, not Ali, is the stated fallback if Henry sits.

Scouting assessment saved Mon, Sep 28, 3:52 AM EDT. This assessment is older than 14 days or has an invalid date; current-role review is needed.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Derrick Henry. The dated board currently prefers Justice Hill for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Derrick Henry, Justice Hill. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A change-of-pace role can create useful touches in a limited package. It does not automatically transfer to the starter’s workload; another back may fit the early-down or short-yardage assignment better.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2024 · Round 5 · Pick 165

Drafted by BAL; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 6 recorded games include 4 carries and 0 receptions on 0 targets. Receiving volume is not established by these records. Do not read that as proof he cannot catch or protect the quarterback.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB4 · Role under review

Adam Randall

Age 22 · Rookie · injured reserve

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Rookie back who was in the camp competition for the No. 4 job before landing on injured reserve. No NFL sample; not part of Baltimore's plans behind Henry this season.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. This assessment is older than 14 days or has an invalid date; current-role review is needed. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Derrick Henry. The dated board currently prefers Justice Hill for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A clear role assessment is not available. Rushing experience, receiving usage and protection responsibilities need checking before treating him as a direct replacement.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2026 · Round 5 · Pick 174

Drafted by BAL; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is injured reserve. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Jonathan Ward

Age 29 · 6 years of NFL experience · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Individual scouting research is pending. The recorded workload and draft history below provide the available context.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Derrick Henry. The dated board currently prefers Justice Hill for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A clear role assessment is not available. Rushing experience, receiving usage and protection responsibilities need checking before treating him as a direct replacement.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

Draft history unavailable

A verified draft record is not available here. Missing data does not mean he went undrafted.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Unlisted · Fullback

Lucas Scott

Age 23 · 1 years of NFL experience · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Individual scouting research is pending. The recorded workload and draft history below provide the available context.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Derrick Henry. The dated board currently prefers Justice Hill for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A fullback’s place on the chart represents a different assignment from the running-back queue. Blocking or situational touches do not make him the next lead runner when an RB is absent.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

Draft history unavailable

A verified draft record is not available here. Missing data does not mean he went undrafted.

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

The production behind the names

2026 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.

Player comparison for the 2026 regular season
PlayerGames with statsCarriesReceptionsTotal yardsPPR / game
Derrick Henry
71471064717.5
Justice Hill
721132245.1
Adam Randall
—————
Jonathan Ward
—————
Lucas Scott
—————
Rasheen Ali
640190.3
Derrick Henry: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2026

Wk 219 touches
Wk 327 touches
Wk 425 touches
Wk 525 touches
Wk 618 touches
Wk 718 touches
Justice Hill: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2026

Wk 24 touches
Wk 35 touches
Wk 43 touches
Wk 56 touches
Wk 63 touches
Wk 76 touches
Rasheen Ali: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2026

Wk 10 touches
Wk 20 touches
Wk 30 touches
Wk 50 touches
Wk 60 touches
Wk 74 touches

Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.

Evidence behind the backfield analysis

Compare your next bench move

A handcuff is an opportunity to hold, not a projected starter for this week. Compare the room with other teams, then choose a game window that fits your league’s rules.

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