Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins: 'Breakout' Season Coming?

J.K. Dobbins could be due for a breakout season for the Baltimore Ravens.

Jeremy Brener | Jul 19, 2023

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Baltimore Ravens

Entering the final season of his rookie contract, Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins has a lot to prove this season.

Given the current climate of running backs on the open market, Dobbins' best chance at a payday could be on the Ravens' franchise tag next season. However, he has to earn that tag (and raise) with a solid 2023 campaign.

Now fully healthy after knee injuries limiting him to just seven games in the past two seasons, Dobbins has been identified as a candidate for a "breakout" season by Bleacher Report.

"Once Dobbins returned last season, he shined," Bleacher Report writes. "He racked up 397 rushing yards and averaged just under seven yards per carry over his final four regular-season games. With another offseason between Dobbins and the ACL tear, that's the sort of clip the Ravens should expect in 2023."

Dobbins, 24, ran the ball 75 times for 427 yards and two touchdowns last season in Greg Roman's run-heavy scheme. While his role may change with Todd Monken calling plays, the more spread-out offense could actually benefit Dobbins and the rest of the Ravens' backfield.

"Dobbins isn't likely to see as many loaded boxes with Baltimore's new playmakers threatening on the perimeter, and he could become more involved in the passing game under Monken," Bleacher Report said. "The challenge, of course, will be staying healthy. If Dobbins can do that, he'll have Pro Bowl potential in his contract year."

Dobbins' breakout has been halted by health since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2020. But if his poor streak of health is officially behind him, the sky's the limit for the Ravens running back.

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Published Jul 19, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.