4 players the Ravens must build around (not including Lamar Jackson)
By Kristen Wong
2. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ravens
Who said Lamar Jackson had the best legs on the team? Running back J.K. Dobbins can and should spearhead the Ravens’ rushing attack and he makes out to be one of the franchise’s most pivotal players given Baltimore’s run-heavy offensive scheme.
Dobbins’ rookie year production was something to drool over: 805 rushing yards, nine touchdowns, six yards per carry on average, and an additional 120 receiving yards.
The 2020 second-rounder occupied a variety of roles in the backfield from a check-down option on third-downs to a bonafide ball-carrier who could break away through the gaps.
Dobbins returns to a Ravens’ running back room that used a committee approach last season, though if Dobbins stays healthy, he should easily win a starting role this year and be able to dominate the game on the ground.
And we can’t stress this enough: a running back is only as good as his offensive line. Baltimore made necessary improvements to its offensive line this offseason, and that coupled with a talented back like Dobbins in the lineup should mean the Ravens’ running game gets more dangerous and more efficient in 2022.
At just 23 years old, Dobbins can offer Baltimore many productive seasons and form a playoff-worthy rushing duo with Jackson for the foreseeable future. Keeping Dobbins healthy — and maintaining a stalwart offensive line — should be one of the team’s highest priorities.