In 2023, J.K. Dobbins, a running back with the Ravens, tore his Achilles in Week 1, incurring yet another season-ending injury. It was another injury to add to his long list of ailments, which also included ripping his ACL in 2021 and another knee injury in 2022 that kept him out of action for half the season.
With an average of 156.5 yards per game, Baltimore’s running assault remained the top in the NFL in 2023. Here are three reasons, nevertheless, why the club need to give the running back who is prone to injuries one more go in 2024.
Following an outstanding career at Ohio State, Dobbins was chosen in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he ran for 805 yards and nine touchdowns, rewarding the Ravens.
All of it came to an end in 2021 and 2022 due to his ailments. But according to Maurice Jones-Drew of NFL Network, upon his comeback from a knee injury in 2022, Dobbins led the league in run yards (397) and yards per carry (7.0) between Weeks 14–17.
This season, he was hoping to continue where he left off, but he sustained yet another serious injury. Baltimore might reap enormous benefits if they give him another chance to prove himself.
Dobbins may be among the highest-paid running backs available in free agency this summer if he hadn’t suffered an injury in 2023. Due to the injury, Dobbins most likely will be playing in 2024 on a short-term, inexpensive contract.
Spotrac reports that Dobbins may get a $4.36 million, two-year contract ($2.1 million annually). However, given his most recent season-ending injury, that seems improbable.
The Ravens stand to gain the most, as Pro Football Focus projects them to have a cap space of just $13.65 million. Regaining a potentially significant talent at a reasonable cost might help Baltimore challenge for another Super Bowl the following season.
In 2024, Dobbins will turn 25 and begin his fifth season in the NFL. The fact that he has just 234 carries over the course of four seasons may be the best thing that has come of his injuries.
Gus Edwards and Melvin Gordon III, two experienced running backs who will also be free agents, can’t claim the same since during the course of their lengthy careers, they have combined for 2,292 carries.
In an era where running backs are more valuable than ever, Dobbins offers the Ravens a low-risk, high-reward alternative to signing a veteran who will likely want a higher salary due to his greater mileage.
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