Through two weeks of NFL action, running back J.K. Dobbins has been one of the biggest surprises on the Chargers and throughout the entire league. A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Ohio State product spent the first four seasons of his career battling injuries with the Baltimore Ravens. The running back was remarkably efficient with his opportunities, averaging an impressive 5.8 yards per carry throughout his Ravens career. Unfortunately, he only played in 24 games over those four years, with his final season coming to a premature end after he tore his Achilles in Week 1.
The Ravens decided to go in a different direction, and J.K. Dobbins followed former offensive coordinator Greg Roman to the Los Angeles Chargers. While most expected him to be the primary backup to Gus Edwards, the running back quickly earned the starting job thanks to his incredible performance. Through two games, Dobbins leads the league with 266 rushing yards on a staggering 9.9 yards per carry. This type of efficiency is insane, and former teammate Marlon Humphrey recently shared a text conversation between the two where Dobbins pokes fun at the Ravens for not re-signing him.
JK Dobbins says the ravens should have signed him back pic.twitter.com/tYd0HIoOLp
— Punch Line Podcast (@punchlinepod44) September 18, 2024
J.K. Dobbins Thrives With Chargers, Says Ravens Should Have Re-Signed Him
As seen in the clip above, Humphrey plays this off as a joke, and there likely isn’t any malice behind the message. Like every football player in existence, Dobbins never doubted his abilities, and he’s proving himself right with the Los Angeles Chargers. However, as Humphrey points out, Dobbins battled a series of injuries during his Ravens career. Baltimore understandably didn’t want to invest long-term in a player who might not have returned to full strength.
Dobbins’ desire for a new contract with the Ravens is nothing new. The running back held out during a portion of the 2023 offseason while looking for a long-term deal, but ultimately returned to the field without an agreement. Dobbins proceeded to tear his Achilles early in Week 1, effectively ending his time with the Ravens and sending him on a path that led to the Los Angeles Chargers. Historically speaking, Achilles injuries are a kiss of death for running backs, which only makes Dobbins’ young season all the more impressive. While it’s a small sample, so far he is the ultimate outlier in terms of statistical and film-based performance.
Were the Ravens Right to Move On?
The Ravens bet against J.K. Dobbins, and the Chargers are reaping the rewards of that decision. However, was this the right move? Nobody could have predicted Dobbins playing this well, but did Baltimore have an adequate Plan B?
With Dobbins and fellow running back Gus Edwards departing in free agency, Baltimore decided to spend big and bring in four-time Pro Bowler Derrick Henry. The running back isn’t the same unstoppable force he was back in 2019, but Henry looks like the same guy from 2023. Through two games, the running back continues to break tackles at an impressive rate and is currently ranked 10th out of 48 eligible players in PFF grade. Even though they’re 0-2, it’s hard to blame Baltimore for making the decisions they did at running back.
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon – USA Today Sports
