{"id":141962,"date":"2023-06-02T18:18:54","date_gmt":"2023-06-02T22:18:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=141962"},"modified":"2023-06-02T18:16:55","modified_gmt":"2023-06-02T22:16:55","slug":"ravens-running-back-jk-dobbins-posts-cryptic-tweet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/06\/02\/ravens-running-back-jk-dobbins-posts-cryptic-tweet\/","title":{"rendered":"Is This Ravens Running Back On The Way Out?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Baltimore Ravens running back, J.K. Dobbins, recently posted some <a href=\"https:\/\/bleacherreport.com\/articles\/10077951-jk-dobbins-questions-ravens-future-in-cryptic-tweet-wants-to-retire-in-baltimore\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">cryptic Tweets<\/a>. It has led to speculation that the young running back could be on his way out of Baltimore soon.<\/p>\n<p>Dobbins, the projected workhorse back for Baltimore this year, recently Tweeted out what sounded like a \u2018thank you\u2019 note to Baltimore fans. After showing his desire to remain a Raven for life, Dobbins then followed his Tweet up with \u201cidk tho sadly\u201d. This message was subsequently deleted.<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jkdobbins22\/status\/1664369065232572416<\/p>\n<p>He then Tweeted out another post, which pledged his allegiance to Baltimore, even when he is \u201cgone\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jkdobbins22\/status\/1664369589671608321<\/p>\n<p>All of this has led to speculation that the 24-year-old running back could be on leaving Baltimore. It is unclear what has happened behind the scenes. However, 2023 is a contract year for Dobbins.<\/p>\n<p>Dobbins is currently coming off his second injury-ridden season. The 2020 second-round pick flashed in his rookie season, which led many to believe that 2021 would be a breakout season for him. However, a season-ending ACL injury ruled him out for the entirety of 2021.<\/p>\n<p>Entering 2022, Dobbins clapped back at Ian Rapoport\u2019s report that his rehab was taking longer than expected. While fans appreciated Dobbins\u2019 confidence, 2022 was a year to forget for the former Ohio State Buckeye. The ACL injury, coupled with various other niggles, hampered Dobbins\u2019 production.<\/p>\n<p>After an injury-filled career so far, Dobbins is looking to set the record straight in 2023. A lot of fans and pundits believe this could be a surprise breakout season for him, and a lot of analytics suggest so too.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Ravens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Ravens<\/a> JK Dobbins \u2013 RB numbers drop hard in year 1 off multi-lig surgery, but our algorithm projected Dobbins\u2019s dip to last 19 months.<\/p>\n<p>As he approached that timeline in the last 5 games of \u201922, he averaged 100 ypg and 6 ypc.<\/p>\n<p>Now well past that, data strongly favors a\u2026<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Deepak Chona, MD. SportsMedAnalytics (@SportMDAnalysis) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SportMDAnalysis\/status\/1664635368178700289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 2, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>J.K. Dobbins Posts Cryptic Tweet Regarding Ravens Future<\/h2>\n<h3>What We Know About J.K. Dobbins\u2019 Cryptic Tweet<\/h3>\n<p>Dobbins\u2019 latest cryptic posts come after a quietly saga-filled off-season for the running back. It started after the Wildcard game against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/bengals\/\" target=\"_self\">Cincinnati Bengals<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Straight after the Ravens\u2019 Super Bowl hopes were dashed, Dobbins spoke up. He complained about his lack of involvement. He was particularly frustrated about Tyler Huntley\u2019s game-ending fumble, arguing that he should have been the one carrying the ball.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">J.K. Dobbins has every right to be upset. He\u2019s been unstoppable inside the 20s and but couldn\u2019t get one &#8211; not ONE &#8211; carry inside the 5.<\/p>\n<p>Dobbins said: \u201cIt\u2019s the playoffs. Why am I not out there? Twelve carries? It&#39;s the playoffs.\u201d<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Ravens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Ravens<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Bengals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Bengals<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Schultz_Report\/status\/1614871651463696384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 16, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>This frustration has been a theme throughout the off-season. It was most recently shown when Dobbins Tweeted out \u201cjust imagine\u2026\u201d to one of his highlight videos.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Just imagine if\u2026. Nevermind\u2026 \ud83d\ude43 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ZopTBP7tlb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/ZopTBP7tlb<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jk dobbins (@Jkdobbins22) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jkdobbins22\/status\/1650468740302028800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 24, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Given how Dobbins\u2019 off-season has gone, his recent Tweets are not surprising. While no one has any concrete information on Dobbins\u2019 situation yet, Sarah Ellison believes that the dissatisfaction stems from a contract dispute.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Not positive this is what&#39;s going on, but this is the type of tweet players often put out when they&#39;re trying to negotiate a new deal. It&#39;d also be a reason to not be at OTAs. Negotiation tactics. JK Dobbins is in the final year of his rookie deal and will make $1.3M in base\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/dVLaaJk4O0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/dVLaaJk4O0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/sgellison\/status\/1664397520250847233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 1, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>With Dobbins set to be a free agent in the 2024 off-season, this could very well be the case. He is likely expecting to be paid well, as a top running back should. However, given the landscape of the running back economy, coupled with Dobbins\u2019 injury history, Baltimore may not view Dobbins as worth paying.<\/p>\n<h3>Why Parting Ways Might Make Sense<\/h3>\n<p>Does parting ways with Dobbins make sense amidst the cryptic Tweets? Perhaps. Dobbins\u2019 cryptic messages on Twitter this off-season have frustrated many Ravens fans. Some have even gone as far as to call him a \u2018diva\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>While that is not enough to part ways with a good player, there are many more reasons. The injury history simply cannot be overlooked. While Dobbins has been uber-productive since returning from his latest injury, there is no guarantee that he will be a consistent contributor. The Ravens struggled without him last year. There is a good case that they ought to move off him altogether to rebuild their running game around a consistently healthy running back.<\/p>\n<p>This is especially true given the running back economy in the NFL. It is no secret that running back is among the least-valued positions in the NFL. Just look at <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/03\/14\/5-austin-ekeler-trade-destinations\/\" target=\"_self\">Austin Ekeler\u2019s situation<\/a>. As such, Baltimore may not find it apt to pay Dobbins big money.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps, however, the most important thing to note is that Dobbins has yet to prove himself in <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/02\/15\/todd-monken-brings-baltimore-ravens\/\" target=\"_self\">Todd Monken\u2019s system<\/a>. It is not immediately clear that Dobbins is a perfect scheme fit for Monken\u2019s offense. At Georgia, Monken was known to heavily utilize receiving backs. Dobbins, however, is not known as an effective pass catcher. That is why a lot of pundits believe that UDFA Keaton Mitchell could find a role, especially considering how much he has <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/05\/09\/baltimore-ravens-udfa-keaton-mitchell-impressing-at-rookie-minicamp-early\/\" target=\"_self\">impressed<\/a> so far.<\/p>\n<h3>How Could Baltimore Replace Dobbins?<\/h3>\n<p>Considering that Dobbins enters a contract year, Baltimore might be willing to let Dobbins go if a strong trade offer comes in. Any value for an injury-riddled running back on the last year of his contract would be good.<\/p>\n<p>However, if Baltimore opt to let Dobbins leave, whether that be this year or next, they will need a backup lined up. The obvious scenario is finding Dobbins\u2019 successor through the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/05\/07\/baltimore-ravens-2024-nfl-draft-way-too-early-prospect-watch\/\" target=\"_self\">2024 NFL Draft<\/a>. Tre\u2019Veyon Henderson, another Buckeye, could be a name to watch here.<\/p>\n<p>If Baltimore part ways with Dobbins earlier, the team have a few different options. Many fans have been linking <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/06\/01\/dalvin-cook-trade-june-1st-dolphins\/\" target=\"_self\">Dalvin Cook to Baltimore<\/a>. The Pro Bowl running back is one of the league\u2019s top receiving backs and would do wonders in Monken\u2019s system.<\/p>\n<p>Kareem Hunt might also be a good shout on a prove-it deal. The former <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/browns\/\" target=\"_self\">Cleveland Brown<\/a> is currently a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/05\/31\/big-name-free-agents\/\" target=\"_self\">free agent<\/a>. Hunt would be able to give some insight about his former team as well as be a productive versatile back for Monken\u2019s offense.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo: Kareem Elgazzar\/The Enquirer \/ USA TODAY NETWORK<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Is This Ravens Running Back On The Way Out?: J.K. Dobbins&#8217; latest cryptic Tweet suggests he could be on his way out of Baltimore.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4198,"featured_media":141963,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[6497,7638],"class_list":["post-141962","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ravens","tag-j-k-dobbins","tag-ravens-featured"],"modified_by":"David Latham, Managing Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4198"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=141962"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141962\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/141963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=141962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=141962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=141962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}