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2020 Baltimore Ravens: 3 goals for J.K Dobbins in rookie year

By Chris Schisler

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 5: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 5: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: JK Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball against the Clemson Tigers during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: JK Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball against the Clemson Tigers during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

2. Improving in the passing game:

Dobbins is one of the most praised prospects of the Ravens’ 2020 NFL Draft class. That doesn’t mean that Dobbins enters the NFL without things to work on. One area that Dobbins can improve is in the passing game. NFL Draft Network’s Benjamin Solak noted the following about Dobbins as a receiver out of the backfield:

"“Hasn’t demonstrated anything spectacular, but isn’t necessarily poor. Has some concentration drops and poor catch technique, then has some nice adjustments. Effective screen/swing player who is smart using his blockers to work against leverage. Route tree is limited but there are positive athletic projections for a more developed tree.”"

Solak gives the Ravens’ rookie tangible things that he can work on moving forward. Dobbins needs to produce for the Ravens as a pass catcher. One thing that makes Ingram so dangerous is that he is just as deadly to the defense on a reception as he is taking a hand-off from Lamar Jackson. Dobbins clearly has the ability to be a play-maker in the passing game because he put up solid numbers at Ohio State. Dobbins had over 20 receptions in all three seasons with the Buckeyes.

The fact that Dobbins did most of his damage on the ground may have knocked him down to the 55th overall pick. The Kansas City Chiefs to Clyde Edwards-Helaire with the 32nd overall pick. He had 55 receptions last season for the LSU Tigers and was probably the best receiving back in the 2020 NFL Draft. When it comes to pounding the rock as a runner, Dobbins will probably look like a seasoned pro. The passing game is where he needs to prove himself at the NFL level.

Dobbins doesn’t have to be Christian McCafferey. The fact of the matter is that he’s going to be sharing touches with three other running backs. He needs to be able to be a reliable receiver out of the backfield though. Everything the Ravens do with Ingram, they must be able to do with Dobbins. Dobbins produced okay as a receiving option at Ohio State. He just needs to become a more multidimensional player.

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