AFC North 2024 roster rankings: Running backs

With training camp less than a month away, it’s time to take a step back and evaluate all four rosters in the AFC North — the only division where every team finished above .500 in 2023.

Up next in this multi-part article series, ranking each individual position group, are the running backs.

1.) Baltimore Ravens

Photo by Vincent Mignott/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Depth chart: Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, Rasheen Ali, Owen Wright and Chris Collier

The reigning AFC North champions made Henry their most notable offseason addition and his presence vaults them to the top of this list. A two-time rushing champion and First Team All-Pro selection, he’s an immediate upgrade and the best player they’ve had at the position in over a decade since the heyday of Ray Rice.

Even though he’s heading into his age 30 season, Henry has shown no signs of slowing down. He’ll now get to play alongside the best quarterback of his career who is also the most dangerous dual threat in NFL history. In his final season with the Tennessee Titans, despite running behind arguably the worst offensive line in the NFL, he still managed to lead the league in carries with 280, finish second in rushing with 1,167 yards and double-digit rushing touchdowns for the sixth year in a row with 12.

Behind the four-time Pro Bowler is a host of talented options who will complement him well as part of a backfield rotation. Hill is a five-year veteran and every down back capable of contributing as a pass catcher and protector. He recorded career highs across the board last season. Mitchell established himself as one of the most explosive offensive playmakers in the league as an undrafted rookie last year before suffering a season-ending torn ACL in December. It will likely cause him to miss the start of this upcoming season.

Ali was a prolific all-around playmaker in college at Marshall who the Ravens took in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Wright is a second-year pro who went undrafted last year and spent his rookie season on the practice squad while Collier is an undrafted rookie this year.

2.) Pittsburgh Steelers

Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Depth chart: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson, La’Mical Perine, Aaron Shampklin, Jonathan Ward and Jack Colletto (fullback*)

Spearheading the Steelers’ rushing attack is one of the best backfield tandems in the entire league. Harris is a former first-rounder and Pro Bowler and Warren is a former undrafted gem. Both players possess dynamic skill sets as pass catchers out of the backfield and excel in pass protection as well. They each eclipsed 1,000 scrimmage yards last season with Harris recording his third straight 1,000+ yard rushing season and Warren doubled his rushing totals from his rookie year with a career-high 784 and four touchdowns.

The top option behind them is Patterson, who four-time Pro Bowler and First Team All-Pro selection as a return specialist. His primary job will be to help the team exploit the league’s new kickoff rules on special teams. However, the converted wide receiver has more than proven himself as a viable rotational running back, who can complement an established starter or backfield by committee.

There is a precipitous drop-off in talent and pedigree on Pittsburgh’s depth chart after the top three options. All three of Perine, Shampklin, and Ward have bounced around between different teams in their young careers and don’t have much experience. Colletto went undrafted out of Oregon State last year and has yet to see any regular season action. He could challenge Connor Heyward to be the Steelers’ primary fullback option as the only two candidates on the roster.

3.) Cleveland Browns

Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images

Depth chart: Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, D’Onta Foreman, Nyheim Hines, John Kelly Jr., Pierre Strong Jr. and Aidan Robbins

While Chubb joins Henry as the only other multi-time Pro Bowler at the position in the division, he is coming off a horrific knee injury that will likely cost him some time to start the season. Even when he does return to action, it could take the whole season for him to start resembling his dominant pre-injury form. Nevertheless, his mere presence on the depth chart is enough to keep the Browns out of last place on this list because when healthy, he is one of the elite running backs in the league.

Ford blossomed during Chubb’s absence last year, proving he is more than capable of being a stopgap starter and an excellent complementary piece. After receiving just eight carries for 12 yards in 13 games as a rookie, the 2022 fifth-rounder started 12 of 17 games. He recorded career-highs in carries (204) and rushing yards (813), scored four rushing touchdowns. He also hauled in 44-of-63 targets for 319 receiving yards and five touchdowns to bring his scrimmage totals to 1,132 yards and nine scores.

Foreman and Hines are career backups who have excelled as part of rotating backfield committees as change-of-pace options. Foreman will help offset some of the power element the Browns’ rushing attack will miss while Chubb is out and Hines is a quality receiving back and return specialist option. Kelly Jr. and Strong Jr. will be duking it out for the fourth spot on the depth chart while Chubb is out. Meanwhile, Robbins is an undrafted rookie who faces long odds to make the team but could work his way into practice squad consideration.

4.) Cincinnati Bengals

Bob Scheer-USA TODAY Sports

Depth chart: Zack Moss, Chase Brown, Trayveon Williams, Chris Evans, Elijah Collins and Noah Cain

The Bengals traded away their lone Pro Bowler at the position this offseason in Joe Mixon. However, they have a chance to field one of the sneaky dangerous backfield tandems with Moss, who they signed in free agency, and Brown who is heading into his second year in the league. Moss is a four-year veteran and will likely get the starting nod most weeks but Brown is an explosive change-of-pace option who will complement him well.

Moss is coming off a career year in which he held down the fort as the Indianapolis Colts’ starter before Jonathan Taylor ended his holdout after the first four games. He eclipsed 120 rushing yards twice in the team’s first five games including Taylor’s first game back and finished with career-high totals in carries (183), rushing yards (794) and rushing touchdowns (five). He also added 27 catches on 37 targets for 192 receiving yards and a pair of scores to his overall scrimmage totals.

Chase showed some exciting flashes in limited opportunities as a rookie, especially as a receiving option out of the backfield where he caught 14-of-15 targets for 156 yards and a touchdown. He only received 44 carries and recorded 179 yards with an average of just 4.1 yards. However, with an average of just 3.7 carries per game, it’s hard to get into a rhythm.

Behind them are a pair of core special teamers and a pair of undrafted rookies, none of which are expected to have big roles on offense in 2024. Williams and Evans will be competing as primary kick return specialists given the new rules. Both Collins and Cain are long shots to make the roster but could play their way into practice squad consideration also.