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Dobbins looked like Denver’s best pure runner last year before missing the final seven games with a Lisfranc injury. But Dobbins offers little in the passing game, which dings his floor and ceiling. He’s going well into RB3 territory in early drafting, though, more than a round behind RJ Harvey. That makes Dobbins a fine draft play (especially in best ball), with more upside outside of full-PPR formats.
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Dobbins played 10 games for Denver last year, rushing 153 times for 772 yards and 4 TDs. He added just 11 catches for 37 scoreless receiving yards. He finished:
Dobbins had no top-12 fantasy finishes. But he was a usable fantasy starter in more than half of his games, finishing as a top-24 RB six times. He also finished outside the top 24 four times and outside the top 36 once.
That made Dobbins more steady than exciting. He didn’t deliver many difference-making weeks, but he usually stayed in the RB2/flex range.
Dobbins worked as Denver’s lead runner through Week 10. He averaged 15.3 carries per game over that stretch, compared with just 5.0 carries per game for RJ Harvey in games they played together.
He also controlled goal-line work before getting hurt, handling seven carries inside the 5-yard line through Week 10 to Harvey’s three.
Dobbins ceded the receiving work to Harvey, averaging just 1.4 targets per game. Harvey drew 2.9 per game with Dobbins active.
Dobbins ranked RB23 in PPR points per game through Week 10 but just RB31 in expected points per game, so the workload made him relevant without making him a locked-in fantasy starter.
Dobbins’ rushing efficiency was excellent.
Among 51 RBs with 90+ carries, he ranked:
That efficiency kept Dobbins in the early-down role. He averaged 5.0 yards per carry, produced 161 rush yards over expected, and ranked ninth among RBs in total rush yards over expected despite playing only 10 games.
His rushing profile also looks much better than Harvey’s. Harvey ranked 42nd in yards per carry, 48th in RYOE per attempt, 43rd in yards after contact per attempt, and 46th in PFF rushing grade among the same group of qualifiers.
The receiving profile was the opposite. Among 105 qualifying backs, Dobbins ranked 96th in yards per route run and 97th in PFF pass-route grade while catching just 11 passes for 3.4 yards per reception.
So the split is clear: Dobbins was Denver’s best runner, while Harvey was the better passing-game back.
Denver’s offense gave Dobbins a mixed setup.
The Broncos played fast, ranking third in plays per game. That helped create enough total volume for two RBs to have roles. But Denver leaned pass, ranking ninth in pass rate and ranked just 19th in rush rate (41.2) and 20th in rushing attempts per game (26.4).
That environment is better for Harvey’s receiving role than Dobbins’ rushing role. Denver targeted RBs at the fourth-highest rate in the league, but Dobbins captured very little of that work.
Dobbins made this offense work through efficiency and goal-line usage, but the scheme still makes it hard for him to pile up PPR points without more receiving work.
Dobbins played only 10 games last year because a Lisfranc (foot) injury ended his season.
The Broncos did activate Dobbins’ 21-day practice window on Jan. 19, but he did not play in the AFC Championship game.
Dobbins has missed 54 games over his five-year career, all due to knee, foot, and ankle issues.
The Broncos don't appear overly concerned. They gave Dobbins $8 million guaranteed to return, and he's expected to be healthy for training camp and the season.
Dobbins should open 2026 as Denver’s lead runner if healthy but will likely cede the change of pace and receiving role to Harvey.
Last year’s usage strongly suggests Dobbins will remain the lead runner. He handled 15.3 carries per game through Week 10, led Harvey in carries inside the 5-yard line, and crushed Harvey in nearly every rushing-efficiency metric.
This still doesn’t project as a workhorse role. Harvey already averaged 2.9 targets per game with Dobbins active, and he proved capable of handling a much larger role when Dobbins missed time.
The Broncos also added fourth-round rookie Jonah Coleman, who could work his way into snaps.
QB Bo Nix ranked just 25th among qualifiers in average depth of target, and Denver targeted RBs at the league’s fourth-highest rate. That helps Denver’s backs in the passing game, with Harvey better positioned than Dobbins to cash in.
The offense also added Jaylen Waddle to WR Courtland Sutton and TE Evan Engram giving Denver solid options at every level.
Payton has consistently built fantasy-friendly offenses throughout his coaching career, including in Denver.
Payton has shifted the Broncos toward a faster, pass-leaning offense over the last three seasons:
Even with Dobbins healthy through the first 10 weeks, Denver still leaned pass-heavy:
Payton’s history suggests Denver could continue trending further toward the pass and a faster pace in 2026.
Dobbins has a pretty low ceiling this season. He should be the lead runner for the Broncos backfield, but will split snaps with RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman. If he maintains his early down and goal-line role, that can provide enough for Dobbins to keep his RB2 status, even without strong receiving production.
Dobbins averaged 15.3 carries per game, led Harvey in carries inside the 5-yard line, and backed it up with strong rushing efficiency. His two-year, $16 million contract also points to Denver keeping him in that lead early-down role.
Dobbins’ RB23 performance in PPR points per game outperformed his RB31 rank in expected points per game. He ranked fourth among RBs in rushing yards over expected per attempt as well, signaling that Dobbins played legitimately well. But producing above expectation leaves room for 2026 regression.
Even if Dobbins maintains last year's role, there's not much upside thanks to his crowded backfield.
Dobbins’ risk lies in his lack of receiving and expanded committee.
He caught just 11 passes for 37 yards and no TDs last year. His receiving profile was poor by every measure, including 0.32 yards per route run (96th among RBs) and a 46.6 PFF receiving grade (97th).
Harvey gives Denver a clear passing-down alternative after ranking eighth among RBs in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Among 40 RBs with 30+ targets, he also ranked 12th in yards per route run and sixth in targets per route run.
Coleman profiles as a between-the-tackles runner in the Dobbins mold. If he shows enough to earn snaps, they’ll likely come at Dobbins’ expense more than Harvey’s.
Durability remains a risk after Dobbins missed seven games last year with a Lisfranc injury. He has missed 54 games over his five-year career, all due to knee, foot, or ankle issues. The Broncos signaled confidence with his contract, but the injury history still puts him at elevated risk.
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J.K. Dobbins Important to Broncos Season
J.K. Dobbins Important to Broncos Season
Nick Kosmider of The Athletic deems RB J.K. Dobbins one of the Broncos' 10 most important players for 2026, putting him ahead of backfield mates RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman.
RJ Harvey Might Face a Jonah Coleman Problem
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We passed along earlier in June that Broncos RB RJ Harvey was missing on-field workout time while he rehabbed a surgically repaired shoulder. That time off might have given rookie RB Jonah Coleman a chance to challenge for more playing time this season. Coleman impressed in spring workouts, including in passing situations.
R.J. Harvey Missing Time After Shoulder Surgery
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Broncos RB R.J. Harvey suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder in January's playoff loss to the Patriots, according to The Denver Post's Luca Evans. Harvey had surgery this offseason and "hasn’t done much team work in OTAs," Evans adds.
Broncos Add RB Jonah Coleman in Round 4
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The Denver Broncos selected Washington RB Jonah Coleman in Round 4 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Coleman’s dynasty appeal isn’t tied to one spike season. It’s rooted in three years of steady production, physical running, and usable pass-game skills. He carved out a role early at Arizona before following H C Jedd Fisch to Washington and immediately claiming the No. 1 job. Coleman handled nearly two-thirds of the team’s carries in 2024. And that workload came with elite contact balance and strong yards-after-contact numbers -- despite poor run blocking. Among the 20 RBs invited to the NFL Combine, Coleman ranked 11th in 2025 rushing market share (41.5%), and seventh in yards after contact per attempt (3.58). He ranked seventh in 2025 missed tackles forced per attempt (0.24) and fourth in receiving yards per route run (1.73). He is currently 22 years old.
J.K. Dobbins Back In Denver To Cap R.J. Harvey's Ceiling
J.K. Dobbins Back In Denver To Cap R.J. Harvey's Ceiling
The Broncos are nearing an agreement to re-sign RB J.K. Dobbins, according to beat writer Zac Stevens. Dobbins ran for 772 yards and four TDs on 5.0 yards per carry across 10 games for Denver last year. His season ended in Week 10 with a foot injury that required surgery, although it seemed like Dobbins had a chance to make it back had the Broncos reached the Super Bowl.
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