Former Chargers and Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins is meeting with the Broncos this week, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He will have dinner with Denver’s coaching staff tonight with a visit to the team’s facility scheduled for Thursday.
Dobbins finished second in Comeback Player of the Year voting as a Charger in 2024, his return to the field after injuries derailed the start of his career in Baltimore. The 2020 second-round pick averaged 6.0 yards per carry as a rookie but only played nine games over the next three seasons due to an ACL tear in 2021 and an Achilles tear in 2023. He then signed with Chargers last offseason to reunite with Greg Roman (and a slew of other former Ravens) in Los Angeles.
Last year, Dobbins ranked 10th in yards per game (69.6) and 13th in yards per carry (4.6) among qualified running backs, though his 42.6% success rate was the third-lowest in that same group. Crucially, he finished the season healthy; he landed on injured reserve with an MCL sprain but recovered within the four-week minimum and started the team’s last three games (including the playoffs).
The Chargers declined to re-sign Dobbins after the season but placed the little-used UFA tender on him when he remained unsigned after the draft. This week’s visit to Denver is the first reported interest in Dobbins this offseason and could lead to a bigger payday than the $1.1MM he stands to earn in Los Angeles.
The 26-year-old Dobbins would bring a veteran presence to a Broncos running back room that lacks proven NFL experience after the departure of Javonte Williams this offseason. Denver drafted R.J. Harvey in the second round to help fill the void, but his undersized frame and lack of pass-blocking chops will likely keep him from being a three-down bellcow. The team’s other ballcarriers – Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, Blake Watson, and Tyler Badie – have just 281 career carries between them. Dobbins has 429, including 195 in 2024 alone.
If the Broncos sign Dobbins, it may be an indication that head coach Sean Payton will be taking a committee approach to his backfield this season. Harvey’s status as a second-rounder should lead to plenty of touches, and McLaughlin — a 2023 UDFA — has carved out a rotational role over the last two years. Payton also promised more action for Estime, who saw double-digit carries just twice as a rookie.
“He’s a back that requires enough touches,” said Payton of Estime during OTAs (via NFL.com’s Grant Gordon). “He’s going to get those opportunities.”
The Broncos would also have to find a way to fit Dobbins into the picture, a topic that will likely be discussed during his visit.