Before the start of the 2021 NFL season, Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus released a list of the top 32 running backs in the NFL on Tuesday. Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins found himself on the list at No. 26.
Dobbins had a sensational season in 2020 — one of the best by a rookie running back since Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints in 2017.
Dobbins gave the audience at home a show in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. Despite only having 22 yards on seven carries, he managed to find the end zone twice as Baltimore went on to defeat the Browns 38-6.
It was a sign of things to come.
J.K. Dobbins was exceptional with the Ravens in 2020
With the Ravens having a committee at running back with Gus Edwards, Mark Ingram, Justice Hill, and Dobbins for most of the regular season, the latter would not score another touchdown until Week 10 in a 30-24 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
It was after that loss that Dobbins solidified himself as the primary back in the Ravens rotation.
Dobbins would miss Week 11 due to COVID-19. But after his return in Week 12, he scored at least one touchdown in the final five games he played in the regular season.
The former Ohio State star would also have 11 or more carries in each of those five games and not have a rushing performance under 53 yards.
Dobbins’ best rushing performance came in Week 17 on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals. In the season finale, the 22-year-old scored two touchdowns against the team’s AFC North rivals.
That game moved him ahead of wide receivers Marquise Brown (seven) and Torrey Smith (seven) with the most touchdowns as a rookie in franchise history with nine.
However, that’s not the only record he broke to close out the season.
His 72-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter helped propel Dobbins to a 160-yard rushing performance and that run was the longest by a rookie running back in franchise history.
Many would argue the No. 26 spot from PFF is low considering how effective Dobbins was in his rookie campaign. Dobbins is among those who disagreed with the ranking.
I just let PFF talk I’m pretty sure none of those guys really know how to grade film 😂🥴
— Jk dobbins (@Jkdobbins22) May 19, 2021
Dobbins seems ready to show PFF that he should’ve been higher on the list. With one season under his belt and an understanding of the team’s run-heavy offense, expect Dobbins to continue where he left off.
J.K. Dobbins has a chance to become one of the best running backs this organization has seen in quite some time.