The Denver Broncos narrowly lost the AFC Championship Game in what could end up being the final game of the J.K. Dobbins Era. Signed to a one-year deal in the offseason, the former second-round pick played well early in the season. Starting in nine games while appearing in 10, the Ohio State product finished the season with 772 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 153 attempts while adding 11 receptions for 37 yards in the passing game. While a foot injury landed him on the injured reserve, he returned to practice last week and likely would have played in the Super Bowl had the Broncos advanced that far.
Dobbins has yet to play a full season of football and can’t seem to shake the injury bug, but he’s a starting-caliber running back when healthy. Seeing as second-round pick RJ Harvey played well in Dobbins’ absence, it’s safe to assume the Broncos will not re-sign the former Raven. While his extensive injury history makes him a long-term risk, one of the following teams could sign him once the 2026 league year begins.
J.K. Dobbins Likely to Leave Denver Broncos, Join New Team
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans have one of the league’s best defenses, but their offense needs some work. While Nico Collins is one of the best receivers in the game, a good-but-not-great quarterback like C.J. Stroud needs a strong running game that can support him when he’s not playing his best. Rookie Woody Marks did everything in his power to be the team’s answer in 2024, but he’s not a workhorse-type running back. With Joe Mixon’s future uncertain, nobody should be surprised if J.K. Dobbins joins the Texans in the offseason.
Mark and Dobbins are both solid running back who, for entirely different reasons, shouldn’t handle a featured workload. Combining these two should give Houston one of the league’s better running back tandems. Upgrading the running back room and offensive line should be the team’s top priority, as they’re the two biggest weaknesses remaining on an otherwise stacked roster.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have some work to do if they want to get back to the playoffs. While they weren’t quite as bad as their 6-11 record would suggest, they must add more playmakers on offense to support Patrick Mahomes. While the two-time NFL MVP can usually elevate the talent around him, he might need more help than usual as he returns from a torn ACL. While he has one great receiver in Rashee Rice, the Chiefs could use more help in the running game.
Isiah Pacheco is a free agent and, quite frankly, hasn’t done enough to justify a second contract in Kansas City. The Chiefs will likely invest in a young back in the 2026 NFL Draft, but they’ll need a veteran who can start while the youngster adjusts to the speed of the NFL.
New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara is one of the all-time great players in franchise history, but the former third-round pick looked well past his prime last year. Unfortunately, none of the Saints current running backs did anything to challenge him for the starting job. Third-round pick Kendre Miller cannot stay healthy, and Devin Neal did not look like anything more than a journeyman talent.
Just like the Chiefs, the Saints will likely look to draft a running back and could use a veteran like Dobbins to be the team’s short-term starter. Second-round pick Tyler Shough has given New Orleans a legitimate reason to be optimistic about the future, and now the Saints must surround him with talent.
Main Photo: Isaiah J. Downing – Imagn Images
