Dynasty Prospect Scouting Report: J.K. Dobbins
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Height: 5’9
Weight: 209
Age: 21.3
Combine Results
Dobbins sat out Combine drills due to a high ankle injury. He did put up 22 reps on the bench -- an excellent total.
College Career
Dobbins set an OSU freshman rushing record with 1,403 yards. That set the scene for an ultra-productive 3-year stint.
Now, 2018 was a down year for Dobbins, but the Texas native still tallied 12 total TDs and another 1,000-yard season.
Dobbins elevated his game in 2019 with 301 carries and an elite 4.01 YAC per attempt, per Pro Football Focus. He registered his highest PFF grade (84.0) while shouldering 324 touches. In fact, Dobbins never missed a game due to injury in his career.
Not even a high ankle sprain — suffered on December 28th in the Fiesta Bowl — could keep him out. Dobbins described the injury as “significant,” yet he finished the loss to Clemson with a whopping 18-174-1 rushing line (plus 6 catches).
“I think I have tremendous vision,” Dobbins said via Cleveland.com. “I can do it all. I can be explosive. I can grind it out. And I’m also a leader. I think I make everyone around me play better.”
Boasting a frame reminiscent of Ray Rice, Dobbins backs up his talk on the field. See for yourself…
Film Study
Games watched: Nebraska, Wisconsin, Clemson, Northwestern, Michigan State
Dobbins was a master at creating chunk plays at OSU. And while scheme + supporting cast helped enormously, the translatable skills were clear. Get a load of his elusiveness and leg drive. Built compactly, Dobbins utilizes his frame to the max…
Dobbins proved dangerous in space, an attribute that could help him receive NFL passing game work. In the next clip, we see not only a nice open field move, but more physicality to finish the run.
Dobbins' vision is considered one of the best in this draft class. He pairs it with quick feet to elude defenders from all angles...
While we don't have Dobbins' Combine 40 time, there are no concerns over his straight-line speed. In a Pro Day setting, I'd expect him to run in the low 4.4s. Regardless, this next run shows his long speed -- but not before he cuts sharply and makes a defender look silly. (Note: This run was prior to Dobbins' high ankle sprain.) Also worth noting: Dobbins recorded a class-high 31 runs of 15+ yards last season.
There's certainly work to be done as a pass protector, but Dobbins flashed difference-making talent as a receiver. He caught 20+ passes in each season while doing more than simply catching dump-offs. Here's a sharp, Kamara-like angle route he converts into 6...
Fantasy Potential
While Dobbins isn’t built like an NFL workhorse, he proved he could handle a massive workload last season. He remained highly productive on 301 carries (6.7 YPC, 21 TDs). Plus, as a 21-year-old rookie, he adds extra appeal for dynasty owners.
Of course, it’s not like Dobbins needs a ton of work to produce in fantasy. He owns the type of dynamic skill set to maximize each touch. So don't discount his ability to make an impact in redraft leagues, even if he isn't slected until Round 3. Note that RB2s last year averaged just over 15 touches per game, a figure Dobbins — at least in spurts — could reach.
Ultimately, we’d be surprised if he’s not among the first 3 or 4 RBs drafted in April.