At the start of the preseason, a Denver Broncos beat writer has JK Dobbins as the RB1 ahead of rookie RJ Harvey.
Recently acquired free agent running back JK Dobbins has quickly ascended the Broncos depth chart and assumed the RB1 role ahead of second round rookie RJ Harvey, per beat reporter Benjamin Allbright.
Allbright cited Harvey’s need to develop pass protection as the main reason why Dobbins should be first in the depth chart for Denver. Last year, Dobbins averaged 4.6 yards per carry, and totaled over 1000 scrimmage yards for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Harvey is currently off the draft boards at ADP RB21 while Dobbins holds ADP RB35. If reports continue like this, both running backs’ ADPs will continue to converge.
Author: Bradley Stalder (@FFStalder)
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After signing with the Denver Broncos, veteran running back J.K. Dobbins is soaring up draft boards!
After signing with the Denver Broncos, J.K. Dobbins is rising up draft boards on Underdog. In the last week, Dobbins has risen 16.5 spots from the late 13th round into the middle of round 12. This precipitous rise is due to the fact that Dobbins is joining a bullish offense led by head coach Sean Payton.
While Dobbins is not expected to be the lead running back, his opportunity in the Broncos offense can pay off tremendous value at his current ADP. There are many alluring angles in which Dobbins can be a great pick for current drafters. In a timeshare with rookie RJ Harvey, it is easy to envision the Alvin Kamara-Mark Ingram backfield that paid off for both backs who were led by now head coach Sean Payton. In the event of a Harvey injury, Dobbins presents league and tournament winning upside.
With the Los Angeles Chargers last season, Dobbins was No.7 in Explosive Rating (EPX) in and managed 905 rushing yards in 13 games played. His 14.8 fantasy points per game was 18th best at the position. Beleaguered by injuries early in his career, Dobbins is in position to reroute the direction of his career at 26.5 years old. He is perfectly discounted in all formats as his upside in the event of a Harvey injury is still not being fully appreciated.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
Running back J.K. Dobbins has signed a one-year $5.25 million deal with the Denver Broncos.
J.K. Dobbins is one of the ultimate what if players in the NFL. What if Dobbins did not have a catastrophic injuries with the Ravens? Dobbins was one of the top backs in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, drafted in the 2nd round by the Baltimore Ravens. Dobbins suffered an ACL injury in his 2nd year, and then a horrific multi ligament injury in the same knee a year later. Then his last year in Baltimore he tears his Achilles tendon. Dobbins signed with the LA Chargers for the 2024 season and played in 13 games, the most since his rookie year. He unfortunately suffered an MCL sprain and missed multiple games before returning late in the season. Dobbins has now joined the Denver Broncos for the 2025 season. He joins a crowded backfield with mostly unproven talent. Rookie RJ Harvey has been a fantasy favorite due to his draft capital and the other talent in Denver. Dobbins clearly has experience over the other players question is, will he stay healthy?
Dobbins’ addition has been a wet blanket over the RJ Harvey hype in the fantasy landscape. Dobbins will have the pass protection experience that most rookies do not have, so he will likely have the starting nod to begin the season. One thing will be clear as the season progresses, Harvey will have much more explosive juice than Dobbins. So it will come down to the coaching staff to prioritize pass protection or explosive plays. Look for Dobbins to be serviceable to start the season and then Harvey will overtake the backfield. Taking both players could be beneficial if you can believe in the Denver offense. Let’s hope injuries will not be a factor.
Author: Jesse Baldwin @J_Baldwin51
Dobbins is free to sign with any team as an unrestricted free agent until training camp.
With the UFA tender, J.K. Dobbins will remain free to sign with any team until the start of training camp, or July 22, 2025, whichever is later. If Dobbins hasn’t found a new team by then, the Chargers will have exclusive negotiating rights with Dobbins.
Dobbins may have found himself on the outside looking in after the Chargers traded for Najee Harris and then drafted Omarion Hampton in the first round. Dobbins is only 26 and in his prime, and has just come off his best NFL season with 905 rushing yards and 32 receptions for 153 receiving yards with 9 total touchdowns. There is still hope that he signs with a team that didn’t spend up at the position in the draft: Kansas City, The Bears, or Saints would be viable spots — otherwise he may be waiting for a mid-season injury to step into a better situation.
Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins is heading to injured reserve with a knee sprain.
J.K. Dobbins is heading to injured reserve with a knee sprain he suffered in week 12 against the Baltimore Ravens. He will miss a minimum of four games and is eligible to return week 17 against the New England Patriots.
The Los Angeles Chargers running back was enjoying success so far this season with 158 carries for 766 yards and eight touchdowns. Dobbins has made for a great story after suffering multiple season ending injuries to start his career but unfortunately has found himself on injured reserve yet again. Luckily for Dobbins, the knee sprain shouldn’t end his season and it appears the Chargers very well could end up playoff bound. Dobbins is currently RB20 in PPR despite missing this weekends game against the Atlanta Falcons.
It his absence look for Gus Edwards and Kimani Vidal to both increase their snap shares. Against the Falcons, running backs only took 11 carries but Edwards led the way with six and Vidal with four. It’s very possible the Chargers will look to throw more without Dobbins on the field but the lack of running back involvement on Sunday is more a factor of the offense only running 46 plays. Look for both Edwards and Vidal to see more work moving forward as both should make solid flex plays for now.
Zach Schultz | @schu1tzy
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh gave an update to the undisclosed injury to running back Gus Edwards.
The 29 year old free agent signing from Baltimore was expected to take the reigns to start the season but after an undisclosed injury the job may be up for grabs. Edwards was seen working on the side with trainers during minicamp and was also not present for OTA’s leaving questions about his injury status.
Unfortunately, the only update from head coach Jim Harbaugh was that Edwards is “on a really good track” to be ready for training camp. The nature of the injury right now is unknown leaving it tough to project what to expect from Edwards moving forward. With fellow free agent signing J.K. Dobbins recovering from a 2023 week one achilles tear, the door may be open for sixth round rookie Kimani Vidal to snag the starting job.
Edwards and Dobbins both came to the Chargers from the Ravens and they both have experience with offensive coordinator Greg Roman. This probably helps both their causes a little as far as missing time goes but this will still be a situation to monitor in training camp. It’s very possible the Chargers open camp with Vidal as the only back able to take full participation giving him the leg up on his competition.
