For the second consecutive year, J.K. Dobbins is navigating the free agency waters under familiar circumstances.
Last season, he wrapped up a solid stint with the Los Angeles Chargers, tallying 905 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. However, a knee injury sidelined him for the final four games, and the Chargers' ground game felt the impact.
When the new league year kicked off, the Chargers opted to prioritize Najee Harris with a lucrative contract and selected Omarion Hampton in the first round, leaving Dobbins in a holding pattern. Now, as predicted by Nick Kosmider from The Athletic, the Denver Broncos seem poised to follow a similar path, keeping Dobbins as a backup plan while exploring other options.
Dobbins eventually inked a deal with the Broncos, but he might find himself waiting again this year, as teams weigh his potential against his injury history. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report sees the Atlanta Falcons as a likely destination for Dobbins.
Dobbins has struggled to stay healthy, missing at least four games each season since his rookie year in 2020. Last season with Denver, a foot injury cut his campaign short after just 10 games, during which he led the team with 772 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 153 carries.
In Atlanta, Dobbins could fit into the No. 2 running back role, especially if the Falcons lose Tyler Allgeier in free agency or need someone to support Bijan Robinson. Robinson has been a workhorse, ranking in the top three for touches in consecutive seasons. Should Allgeier move on, the Falcons will need a reliable backup, as Nathan Carter remains unproven with only nine carries for 60 yards.
Playing behind Robinson could mean less wear and tear for Dobbins, potentially increasing his chances of completing a full season. While Dobbins was productive in Denver, his best fit moving forward might be as a complementary back.
The Broncos, on the other hand, need to focus on developing RJ Harvey, which makes re-signing Dobbins a bit of a gamble. They need a primary back they can depend on, and Dobbins hasn’t shown he can handle that workload.
This offseason, the Broncos have a plethora of running back options to consider, including Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, Travis Etienne, and Tyler Allgeier. If those paths don't pan out, bringing Dobbins back could become a viable backup plan.