Josh Dobbs is primed to thrive with the Vikings
The only thing that can prevent Josh Dobbs from succeeding as the starting quarterback in Minnesota is himself. Assuming he's the starting quarterback over Jaren Hall and Nick Mullens in due time, there's no reason he can't lead the Vikings on a playoff run as long as he takes care of the ball.
Dobbs, known for his brains, actually has quite a bit of braun to his game. Not only has he passed for eight touchdowns to five interceptions in eight starts with the ratty Arizona Cardinals this season, he's also been one of the league's top running quarterbacks.
When is the last time the Vikings could say they had a dual-threat QB? You have to go all the way back to Daunte Culpepper for a quarterback in Minnesota who was a threat to leave the pocket and pick up a first down with his legs.
Dobbs is that guy. In fact, his 280 rushing yards ranks third among quarterbacks this season, trailing only Lamar Jackson (380 rush yards) and Jalen Hurts (280). What's more is that Dobbs has been explosive when he decides to run. His five runs of at least 20 yards is second most in the NFL this season, with only Miami's De'Von Achane and Indy's Zack Moss having more explosive runs – and they each have six.
Dobbs will likely be inserted to a lineup in which he's surrounded by talented players who could make his life as a starter easier than any other opportunity he's had before.
In Minnesota, Dobbs will be protected by an offensive line that Pro Football Focus ranks third in pass blocking and sixth in run blocking. The playmakers around him are among the best in the game, with all-world wide receiver Justin Jefferson back from injury perhaps as soon as Week 10, along with Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn and T.J. Hockenson.
What's more is that Dobbs can acclimate himself to Kevin O'Connell's offense against weaker competition. Minnesota's faces Atlanta (4-4) this week before games against the Saints (4-4), Broncos (3-5), Bears (2-6) and Raiders (3-5).
With the Cardinals, Dobbs had a below average offensive line protecting him and he was throwing the ball to the likes of Marquise Brown, rookie Michael Wilson, and Rondale Moore.
Dobbs made two starts with the Titans last season and the first came on short rest on a Thursday night against the Cowboys and then the Week 18 game in Jacksonville. Tennessee's offensive line ranked dead last (32nd) in pass blocking last season, according to PFF.
That's a total of 10 career starts since turning pro in 2017.
Title: Bring Me The Sports co-owner, editor Email: joe@bringmethenews.com Twitter: @JoeBMTN Education: Southwest Minnesota State University Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Expertise: All things Minnesota sports Nelson has covered Minnesota sports for two decades, starting his media career in sports radio. He worked at small market Minnesota stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before joining one of the nation's highest-rated sports stations, KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. There, he was the producer of the top-rated mid-morning sports show with Minnesota Vikings announcer Paul Allen. His radio experience helped blossom a career as a sports writer, joining Minneapolis-based Bring Me The News in 2011. Nelson and Adam Uren became co-owners of Bring Me The News in 2018 and have since more than tripled the site's traffic and launched Bring Me The Sports in cooperation with the Sports Illustrated/FanNation umbrella. Nelson has covered the Super Bowl and numerous training camps, NFL combines, the MLB All-Star Game and Minnesota playoff games, in addition to the day-to-day happenings on and off the field of play. Nelson also has extensive knowledge of non-sports subjects, including news and weather. He works closely with Bring Me The News meteorologist Sven Sundgaard to produce a bevy of weather and climate information for Minnesota readers. Nelson helped launch and manage the Bring Me The News Radio Network, which provided more than 50 radio stations around Minnesota with daily news, sports and weather reports from 2011-17.