Ravens news: 5 players whose stock is on the rise following OTAs

1. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens already had high expectations for J.K. Dobbins going into this spring. But perhaps no player did more to solidify their role with the team than Dobbins did.

The 2020 second-rounder began last season as a backup before working his way into the rotation and becoming Baltimore’s lead back by the end of the year.

He finished his rookie campaign with 805 yards and a team rookie record nine touchdowns on a highly efficient 6.0 yards per carry.

The Ravens have big plans for Dobbins in 2021 and those plans include getting the former Ohio State star more involved in the passing game.

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Given what we’ve seen from him during OTAs, the team must feel pretty optimistic about those plans.

Perhaps the highlight of the entire spring so far was a leaping catch that Dobbins made when he skied over linebacker Malik Harrison for a 40-yard touchdown.

It was one of three receiving scores that Dobbins recorded in that practice alone.

The Ravens believe that Dobbins has All-Pro upside and despite not being used as much of a receiving back in high school or college, he’s proving that he’s more than up to the task in the NFL.

Dobbins finished with 18 catches in 2020 which was nearly half of all receptions by Ravens running backs (38). That figure was the lowest in the NFL and the team will be turning to Dobbins to help them improve in 2021.

Dobbins showed during OTAs that he’s ready to take on a much larger role this season. 2021 could be the year of J.K. Dobbins.