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Why J.K. Dobbins could be the key to the Lamar Jackson era

By Chris Schisler

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 30: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a first down during the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 30: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a first down during the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/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) /

The Baltimore Ravens didn’t need a running back, but they added one anyway. He could help the Ravens turn their top strength into an unstoppable force:

The Baltimore Ravens didn’t need J.K. Dobbins and that’s why he is such an interesting addition. The 2019 Baltimore Ravens broke the single season record for rushing yards and by drafting J.K. Dobbins in the second round, they have doubled down on the run game. What this pick by the Ravens means is that the running game is never not going to be a priority.

Dobbins probably won’t be running back number one in Baltimore. Mark Ingram is a veteran leader of the team and he’s still an explosive runner. He will however make the Ravens that much more dangerous in the run game.

There will be a job for all the running backs in Baltimore on game day. Ingram and Dobbins are the dynamic running backs. These are the players who can breakaway for big gains. Gus Edwards will be the downhill hammer on the ground like he has always been. Justice Hill will be a change of pace running back.

They will all get the ball in an offense that uses the running game more than any other NFL offense. The fact that the Ravens were already kind of set at running back makes the addition of a player like Dobbins incredibly compelling.

Baltimore needs to be able to run the football at will to do all the creative things they want to do. This is the run game equivalent of the Saints adding Emanuel Sanders or the Chiefs drafting MeCole Hardman last year. These teams went to great lengths to have almost too much firepower in the passing game. Why shouldn’t the Ravens do the same for their primary method of moving the football? (Fun side note: Dobbins has been nemed the highest rated rookie running back in Madden 21)

In the 2019 season the Ravens ran the ball 596 times. No other NFL team had 500 rushing attempts. The Ravens averaged 5.5 yards per carry as a team. They had 3,296 yards rushing. The one thing the NFL isn’t expecting is that the Ravens will try to break that record. Conventional thinking is that the Ravens will have to show growth in the passing game, and to be less dependent on Lamar Jackson‘s impact on the running game. What if the Ravens are doubling down?

What if the Ravens are looking at the best season they ever had and thinking they want to do it again. Let’s not forget that Lamar Jackson just had a great season with his arm, not just his legs. It’s not like the Ravens are running the wishbone, and the old wedge formation and calling it a day. The Ravens are playing in the modern era, they’re just doing it their way.

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