The 2024 NFL season might have marked the rebirth of the running back position. Names like Bijan Robinson, Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley put a spotlight on their talents, running away with multiple awards and accolades. However, an underrated name among top running backs was J.K. Dobbins.
Replaced by Henry in Baltimore, Dobbins went on to have a career year with the Los Angeles Chargers, tallying 905 yards and nine touchdowns to help an offense that relied more heavily on the run game than in years past.
Why J.K. Dobbins Is So Appealing to Teams
We’ve already seen some movement in the running back market, but Dobbins, who ranked 28th on PFSN’s list of Top 100 Free Agents, might not be far behind in landing a new deal. With teams putting a heavier emphasis on the ground game next season, he could be a valuable commodity on the market.
Ben Rolfe of PFSN wrote, “The RB free agency pool lacks the upside of last year, and that may well work in the favor of Dobbins, who took a one-year prove-it deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. For the most part, Dobbins proved it, finishing with 905 yards and nine touchdowns on 195 carries.”
Additionally, he was solid as a pass catcher, tallying 153 yards on just 32 receptions. At the end of the day, the case for Dobbins is simple: “He has the most upside in this free agency class.”
That could be enough to sway a lot of teams, and “Anyone who takes a chance on him will get a home-run hitter who can be a very effective part of a committee.”
But who takes a chance on him?
5 Potential Landing Spots for Dobbins
Partly due to his talent and partly due to a lackluster free-agent running back class, Dobbins ranks as the best available free-agent RB on PFSN’s list of top 100 free agents. For many teams, his 2024 campaign will be enough to convince them to take a chance.
However, the 2025 draft class is potentially loaded with superstar running backs, none more so than Heisman Trophy finalist Ashton Jeanty. But not every team can afford to spend a draft pick on an RB, which makes Dobbins an appealing option.
Los Angeles Chargers
A return to the Chargers is an easy answer. A prove-it deal for Dobbins could turn into a contract extension after the year he just had. Yes, the playoff game was rough for the offense, but that was more a byproduct of a lackluster passing game than Dobbins’ performance.
Justin Herbert had four interceptions, killing any chance the Chargers had. But a returning Dobbins could be used more selectively as Jim Harbaugh transitions to a more pass-friendly offensive scheme. Still, his numbers are hard to deny in Los Angeles.
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That could lead to a long-term deal between the team and the player. The biggest concern with Dobbins is his health, especially after missing four games last season. But if he can stay healthy, that 1,000-yard mark isn’t far off.
Dallas Cowboys
Last season, the Cowboys’ running game was a mess. They couldn’t land the player they wanted in the draft after Jerry Jones’ boasting, and they parted ways with Tony Pollard, who went on to tally 1,079 yards for the Tennessee Titans.
After struggling in the first half of the season, they initially found an answer in Rico Dowdle. With Dak Prescott sidelined by injury, the offense became more ground-focused, allowing Dowdle to finish with 1,079 yards himself.
But with Dowdle tracking as an RB2, adding an explosive runner like Dobbins could be in Dallas’ best interest. They could target a running back in the 2025 NFL Draft, but with needs along the offensive and defensive lines, their focus might be elsewhere.
As a result, Dobbins could fit right in, pairing with Prescott and CeeDee Lamb to create an electric offense.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders parting ways with Josh Jacobs wasn’t their best decision. However, it brought them a step closer to Pete Carroll and Tom Brady taking over as head coach and team owner. The acquisition of Geno Smith leads many to believe the team is looking to compete now rather than rebuild.
The first priority has to be pairing Smith with a strong running game. Last year, the Raiders’ ground attack was one of the worst in the league. Not a single rusher tallied over 500 yards, with Alexander Mattison leading the team with 420 yards in 14 games.
Any help in that department would be a major boost. But with Dobbins, they could get a legitimate game-changer in the backfield. Adding him wouldn’t cost a premium, allowing the team to continue building its roster in free agency and the draft.
Kansas City Chiefs
This placement depends on how Isaiah Pacheco looks heading into the season. Last year, an injury sidelined him for much of the season, forcing the Chiefs to rely on Kareem Hunt as the starting running back. That can’t be Andy Reid’s long-term solution.
With Pacheco struggling to return to form, the Chiefs could look in a different direction. Landing Dobbins would be an ideal move, giving them a legitimate ground game behind Patrick Mahomes while also weakening a division rival.
However, making the salaries work will be tricky for Kansas City, which already has one of the most expensive rosters in the league. Paying a premium for a running back might not fit into their immediate plans.
Denver Broncos
Last year, the Broncos had the highest-ranked defense on PFSN’s Defense+ metric, paving the way for a surprising playoff appearance. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix showed flashes, but he still needs more help around him to take the next step.
One key area of improvement is the ground game. Last year, Denver was near the bottom of the league in rushing, with Javonte Williams leading the team with just 513 yards.
Adding Dobbins would be a major boost to the offense. While he may not be the “Joker” Sean Payton is looking for, Dobbins would still be a significant upgrade to their rushing attack, making the offense far less predictable.