J.K. Dobbins had a legitimate argument to be the first RB off the board in the 2020 NFL Draft. Instead, Dobbins slipped to the 55th overall pick, and the fifth RB selected overall. Although he slipped in the draft, Dobbins wound up being selected by the Baltimore Ravens, who have one of the heaviest rushing attacks in the NFL. The Ravens were seen as an “ok” landing spot due to incumbent starter Mark Ingram and fan-favorite Gus Edwards.
2020 SEASON RECAP
Dobbins was largely a disappointment to the managers who paid a high first-round pick in dynasty drafts and those redraft players who took him around his fifth-round ADP. Dobbins scored two TDs in his first NFL game, which led to a massive disappointment from weeks 2-7 as Dobbins never eclipsed 8.5 PPR points or a 42% snap share.
After the Ravens’ Week 7 bye, Dobbins started to see more work, topping out at a 66% snap share in week 8. Dobbins was effective with his carries and saw six games over double-digit PPR points in his remaining eight games (Dobbins missed a game due to COVID-19).
In each game after week 10, Dobbins found the end zone for fantasy managers. Dobbins also managed to average over six yards per carry in his rookie year, an impressive nod to his effectiveness.
Where Dobbins disappointed many PPR players was his lack of utilization in the passing game. Dobbins only saw 24 targets on the season. While this isn’t a major reason to fade Dobbins, more passing work would cause his ADP to increase dramatically.
Dobbins was relatively healthy all season, missing one contest due to COVID-19.
| Attempts | Yards | Rush TDs | YPC | Targets | Rec | Yards | Rec TDs | PPR Total | RB Finish |
| 134 | 805 | 6.01 | 9 | 24 | 18 | 120 | 0 | 168.5 | RB23 |
THE WAY FORWARD
Dobbins may be the best back in the 2020 class when his career is all said and done, but 2020 was hampered by a four-headed rushing attack by the Ravens. Lamar Jackson, Ingram, and Edwards all ate into Dobbins’ workload, and the Ravens did not pass at a clip that would facilitate Dobbins receiving much work. Going forward, Edwards is a free agent, and Ingram may be hanging up his cleats. I still think HC John Harbaugh would find another back to shoulder some of Baltimore’s rushing work if both Edwards and Ingram are not on the roster in 2021, but Dobbins proved down the stretch that he should be the first option on the ground. Six yards per attempt is crazy, but Baltimore’s offense and their utilization of Jackson’s leg lead me to believe that Dobbins will continue to be effective.
If he can get close to 200 carries in 2021, Dobbins will be a locked and loaded top 15 RB in PPR, despite his limited receiving work. I love Dobbins in 2021.
