J.K. Dobbins is entering his fourth NFL season and is only 25 years old. In any other year, he would be a free agent running back that plenty of teams would be interested in signing.
That was before the Achilles injury.
Dobbins suffered a torn Achilles in the Baltimore Ravens‘ season-opening win against the Houston Texans after recording 22 yards and a single touchdown. While the running back out of Ohio State has shown plenty of people his rehab is going well, the list of interested teams for his services won’t be the same as if he was 100%.
Here’s a look at which NFL teams could be potential fits for Dobbins.
J.K. Dobbins Free Agency Landing Spots
A Backfield Pairing With Breece Hall
The New York Jets already have their top running back in Iowa State phenom Breece Hall.
Hall, less than a year removed from tearing his ACL in 2022, was among the top 10 in rushing yards and total yards from scrimmage at the position.
It will behoove Gang Green to add a viable option to help Hall and not put too much pressure on him. Dobbins won’t cost a ton of money and might be interested in a short-term deal that the Jets would be looking for in a backup running back role.
A backfield with Hall and Dobbins would be a quality duo to put pressure on opposing defenses with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. New York’s offense would be far removed from the poor performances of 2023.
The Next Option in the City of Brotherly Love
Dobbins is the kind of signing that the Philadelphia Eagles have made over the years.
An injured running back who will be looking to prove himself behind an elite offensive line and strong overall offense?
The Eagles probably aren’t going to re-sign D’Andre Swift to an extension after a 1,000-yard season. With two different runners recording over 1,000 yards in each of the last two years, it’s a sign that the Eagles’ offensive line has made some above-average runners excellent over the season. That could happen with Dobbins in 2024.
Like many teams looking at his services, the Eagles will probably need to make an additional signing not to put pressure on Dobbins early in the season, but this is a pairing that makes a lot of sense.
Youth Movement in Green Bay
AJ Dillon may not return to the Packers next season, which leaves a hole at running back for one of the more storied franchises in football history.
Dobbins would fit nicely with an offense based on the kind of zone-blocking schemes that Baltimore and other modern offenses have run. Sharing a backfield with Aaron Jones would also help Dobbins get back to 100% quicker by not putting a ton of pressure on him to shoulder a heavy workload early in the season.
A Return to Baltimore Is Still in Cards
A return to the Ravens isn’t completely out of the realm of possibility for Dobbins. Baltimore will need to sign a couple of running backs this offseason, and bringing back Dobbins makes a lot of sense for depth.
Before his Achilles injury, Dobbins was expected to be the bell cow of the offense in 2023. It would be unrealistic for the Ravens to expect that out of him in 2024 – even if his recovery videos are a sight to see.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Free Agency Predictions
Baltimore will most likely be adding an additional back if they can bring back Dobbins, but he’s still a player who can develop into a solid playmaker in the right offense.
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