Ravens: Why J.K. Dobbins can make the Pro Bowl in 2021

The Baltimore Ravens have made a habit out of sending players to the Pro Bowl in recent years. But one player who could be primed to make his first appearance in 2021 is running back J.K. Dobbins.

Dobbins emerged as one of Baltimore’s most dynamic playmakers last season and many believe he’s set for a breakout 2021 campaign.

One such individual is NFL.com’s Marc Sessler who recently listed Dobbins as one Ravens player who could make their first Pro Bowl in 2021.

The Ravens sent an NFL-record 13 players to the Pro Bowl in 2019. They then doubled down and led the NFL once again with seven representatives in 2020. Dobbins is looking to help continue that trend.

How J.K. Dobbins can make the Pro Bowl with the Ravens in 2021.

Dobbins should be given every opportunity to make good on his trendy pre-season breakout status this year.

With Mark Ingram gone, the Ravens plan to hand over the keys to the backfield to Dobbins. He’ll still split touches with Gus Edwards, but the team clearly sees Dobbins as the future of their running back room.

So much so that they plan to not only make him a focal point of the running game, but they also intend on utilizing him plenty in the passing game.

That dual-threat production should serve him well as he looks to build upon his Pro Bowl case.

The Ravens have thrown to their running backs at the lowest rate in the NFL over the last two years, but expect that to change in 2021. And Dobbins should be the primary beneficiary.

On top of that, he has a chance to be the team’s most productive running back in years.

Dobbins averaged a league-best 6.0 yards per carry as a rookie and topped 800 yards despite receiving just 134 carries. His nine touchdowns were also the most by any rookie in Ravens history.

You have to figure that, barring injury, Dobbins receives at least 200 carries this season. And if he were to continue the same rate of production that he had as a rookie, that would put him at roughly 1,200 rushing yards.

Combine that with whatever production he receives in the air and it isn’t hard to see Dobbins making the Pro Bowl this season.

Of course, regression is very possible given the absurd efficiency he had last year. And he’ll face steep competition with the likes of Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb atop the AFC running back totem pole.

But Dobbins has all the makings of a potential first-time Pro Bowler in 2021. He’s been a trendy offseason talking point for a reason — 2021 could be the year of J.K. Dobbins.