Latest news with #JKDobbins
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Buy These Running Backs In Dynasty Fantasy Football
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 02: Javonte Williams #33 of the Denver Broncos runs out of the tunnel prior to ... More an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High on December 2, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by) The NFL season is just around the corner, which means it's close to your last chance to buy some of these running backs. With prices set to change dramatically, you're going to want to buy these three players right away in dynasty fantasy football. For this list, we'll be looking at a few players that are affordable and can fit any kind of dynasty team. By trading for these running backs, it doesn't mean you need to keep them on your roster forever. However, these are players who should rise in value, and then you can sell them off as needed. We'll be using Keep Trade Cut for these community rankings. Let's dive right into the list. Buy These Running Backs In Dynasty Fantasy Football While there certainly would have been better landing spots for J.K. Dobbins, people are totally writing him off. Last season in October (25th), Dobbins became the RB22 in dynasty. It's not as if Dobbins had a bad 2024 season either. Last year, Dobbins played in 13 games, ran for 905 yards (4.6 YPC), recorded nine touchdowns on the ground, and caught 32 passes. Now, Dobbins ended up with the Denver Broncos in free agency, and the team had already drafted RJ Harvey in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft. While Harvey should be the guy, it's not uncommon for rookies to take some time to adapt to the NFL. If Dobbins is given the starting job, there's a real chance that he may never give it up in year one. Everyone is counting out Dobbins, but he's a great talent who's coming off a really good year in 2024. I'd take Dobbins over players such as Jaylen Warren, who's being ranked 138th overall (Dobbins - 158) and the RB40 (Dobbins - RB46). While Javonte Williams has been a player that I haven't been a fan of for years, it's all about price. At RB47, the hate on Williams has gone too far. A few months ago, Jaydon Blue was my favorite back in the Dallas Cowboys offense. Having a running back in this offense is extremely advantageous. Last year, we saw Rico Dowdle, who had never run for more than 400 yards before 2024, run for 1,079 yards on the Cowboys offense. While Blue flashed with metrics such as a 113.1 elusive rating (per PFF), he's never run for over 800 yards in a season. Williams, on the other hand, was the 35th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and was deemed a great prospect. As a rookie, Williams had 903 rushing yards on 4.4 YPC despite only starting one game. Sadly, Williams suffered a knee injury in 2022, which he's been recovering from ever since. A change of scenery and one more year removed could allow Williams to thrive in his age-25 season. As of now, Williams is the projected starter on the Cowboys depth chart because his only competition is Miles Sanders and Blue. Again, I'd easily take Williams over Warren, yet he's ranked significantly behind him. GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 15: Trey Benson #33 of the Arizona Cardinals prepares for a game ... More against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by) The last player on this list is sophomore running back Trey Benson. Coming out of the 2024 NFL Draft class, Benson had high hopes as he was drafted early in the third round (66th overall). While some expected James Conner to fade out, he played in the most games of his career (16) and ran for 1,094 yards (4.6 YPC) and eight touchdowns. With that being the case, Benson barely saw the field running for 4.6 YPC on 63 attempts. Now Conner is entering his age-30 season, and typically running backs start to decline around this age. When Conner eventually loses his job to Benson, the young back will see an instant value spike. If you believe in the talent of Benson, you can hang onto him and let him start on your roster with his increased dynasty value. If not, you can sell him at a value win once he takes over that starting job. Either way, since you're getting Benson at the RB28, he's a great buy in dynasty fantasy football right now.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Can JK Dobbins & RJ Harvey both be fantasy relevant in Denver?
Yahoo Sports fantasy analysts Matt Harmon and Justin Boone discuss how the pair of Broncos running backs could both find their ways into managers' lineups in the 2025 season. Hear the full conversation on the 'Yahoo Fantasy Forecast' podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen. View more Video Transcript The arrival of J.K. Dobbins isn't nothing, right? J.K. Dobbins, apparently they were talking to him for a while. So was this always in the cards that this was going to be Dobbins and Harvey together? Going to be Dobbins and Harvey together? Seems like it, and like we mentioned before, Dobbins, he's still a decent back. The main issue with him is that he's not gonna stay healthy. I don't like to call anyone injury prone, but I think we can look at the sample size now. And say the odds of J.K. Dobbins staying healthy for even 14 or 15 games seems very, very unlikely. So you're going to get him for a stretch of the season. He can be a good starting back during that time, but he's not going to be the answer for you long term at the running back position. The thing that worries me most is there's been some talk that Harvey's pass protection is an issue and that that's why they want a veteran back. And I mentioned earlier, like, this is something that when we're excited about these rookie backs coming in, this is something that people don't talk about enough that actually ends up keeping them off the field and ends up really soaring their fantasy values sometimes. Is that gonna happen with Harvey? Probably not entirely, but the fact that Dobbins showed up to me made me bump Harvey down a few spots. I still have him above Dobbins, of course. But I'm looking at them now, like Harvey has that chance to be the low end RB2. I think I have him ranked right on that borderline right now with Dobbins more in the RB3 range, but there's gonna be value to both these guys and Scott Vispoll this week, that I took Dobbins in the 12th round. He went off the board as like the 45th running back or something. That's great value to me, even though I still think Harvey is going to be the more valuable of the two backs there. Close
New York Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Can Jaleel McLaughlin find playmaking role in Broncos reconstructed backfield?
Jaleel McLaughlin viewed the shrieking whistle as a suggestion and chose to ignore it. During an offseason practice at the Denver Broncos training facility in early June, McLaughlin caught a pass in the flat and turned upfield. In a blink, he had outrun the angle the nearest defender had taken while trying to pin the running back to the sideline. In a non-tackle, offseason setting, the play was over at that point, but McLaughlin kept running. Kept accelerating. Kept envisioning the home runs he wants to hit more frequently when his third NFL season rolls around in September. Advertisement 'Really, just turning those 12-yard plays into 80 or 90 yards, or 50- or 60-yard touchdowns, that's what I've been trying to work on,' McLaughlin said just before the Broncos broke minicamp last month. '(The difference) is that small. If you juggle the ball, especially in a league where everyone is really fast and smart, that can change the game. I've been working on those little things, for sure.' The Broncos reconstructed their backfield this offseason with two key additions. First, Denver selected RJ Harvey, an All-American running back out of Central Florida, in the second round of April's NFL Draft. Then, just before minicamp, the Broncos signed veteran JK Dobbins to a one-year deal after the sides had spent much of the offseason discussing a potential deal. Those additions, combined with Denver's leading rusher of the past two years, Javonte Williams, leaving in free agency, have created an entirely new picture for an offense aiming to be more dynamic on the ground. Still, even amid new faces in his position group, McLaughlin remains a fascinating potential piece of the puzzle for Denver's offense, a versatile, whip-quick backfield weapon who has totaled 1,142 yards of offense and six touchdowns since joining the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Youngstown State in 2023. The 5-foot-7, 187-pound back is never going to be a traditional workhorse for the Broncos. He carried the ball 7.1 times per game last season and has averaged just under two passing targets per game during his career. The new firepower, along with the presence of second-year running back Audric Estimé, makes it hard to imagine a world in which McLaughlin will hover much above that 10-touch mark per game. The quantity of work is largely out of McLaughlin's control. That's why his focus is on explosive efficiency, turning more of his opportunities into home runs. It's a thought that fueled every pre-dawn workout this offseason for the notorious early riser. The playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills stung. McLaughlin touched the ball three times for minus-2 yards. He simply hadn't impacted the game in the way he had envisioned. He was back in the building working out days later. Advertisement 'I didn't take much time (off after the season),' McLaughlin said. 'I had a sour taste in my mouth.' McLaughlin's shiftiness was evident in the tight spaces of the red zone last season. All three of his touchdowns came on plays inside the 10-yard line, including a nifty run during a Week 3 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McLaughlin caught a pitch from quarterback Bo Nix and appeared trapped by the pterodactyl wingspan of 6-foot-7 outside linebacker Anthony Nelson. So McLaughlin slammed the brakes, juked inside to freeze Nelson and then bounced back outside, zipping by chasing defensive lineman C.J. Brewer into the end zone. The play showcased what running backs coach Lou Ayeni calls McLaughlin's ability to 'teleport' on the field. 'There's juice and there's vision,' Broncos coach Sean Payton added. Jaleel McLaughlin got there! The @Broncos now lead the Buccaneers 14-0! 📺: FOX — FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 22, 2024 The next step for McLaughlin is turning more of his opportunities in the open field into game-changing plays. Ayeni, who has worked with McLaughlin since the running back entered the league, has challenged him to spike his number of explosive runs. He has averaged a respectable 4.8 yards per carry in his first two seasons, but he had only five runs of at least 15 yards last season and only one 20-plus yard run. 'I left a lot out there last year and I know that,' McLaughlin said. McLaughlin will be facing fierce competition in the backfield when training camp begins later this month. Much of the hope for a resurgent Broncos running game is being pinned on Harvey and Dobbins, even if Payton has been adamant there is not yet an established pecking order at a position that also includes holdovers, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson. Can McLaughlin still count on nine or 10 opportunities per game to make a play with the ball in his hands? Advertisement The number of touches may matter less than what McLaughlin can do with them in big spots this season. That's why, when he hears the whistle blow in training camp later this month, it may serve as a signal to hit the gas. 'Everything's slowing down, but speeding up at the same time with my play,' the running back said. 'I have been focusing on those little things, for sure. I think the hard work is going to show.'
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Trade Idea Lands Broncos Alvin Kamara
Trade Idea Lands Broncos Alvin Kamara originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Denver Broncos' running back room looks entirely different heading into 2025. The Broncos' leading rusher last season was Javonte Williams, who signed with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. Advertisement The Broncos drafted RJ Harvey in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft and added J.K. Dobbins this offseason to fill the void and build their two-headed monster in the backfield. However, CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin recently released a trade idea that would add yet another weapon to the Broncos' backfield. Benjamin proposed the idea of Denver trading for New Orleans Saints' star running back Alvin Kamara. Kamara and head coach Sean Payton have an obvious connection from their days in New Orleans together. Payton coached Kamara with the Saints for the first five years of his career. Kamara went to the Pro Bowl all five years, earned All-Pro honors twice, and accounted for at least 1,300 scrimmage yards all five years. For the Saints, Kamara is aging, and they aren't in a win-now mode. New Orleans is rebuilding and could gain assets for the future out of the trade. Advertisement "Kamara may be a Saints mainstay, but he's approaching 30 with an annual injury history," Benjamin wrote. "And New Orleans isn't necessarily geared to compete for meaningful wins in 2025 with a rookie coach and quarterback in Kellen Moore and Tyler Shough, respectively." New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) talks to his former coach Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton at Caesars Hinton-Imagn Images As for the Broncos, Kamara would be another weapon for young quarterback Bo Nix, and Payton has shown a liking to using multiple running backs in his backfields. "Payton wants depth to win on the ground, and besides, Kamara's best attribute is collecting passes out of the backfield," Benjamin wrote. "He could be Nix's top safety valve." Advertisement However, Benjamin did mention Moore's intentions of centering the Saints' offense around Kamara to help the rookie Shough, and that Kamara's contract could be a holdup for a potential trade. "Kamara, meanwhile, has successfully navigated several contract disputes with New Orleans, inking a contract extension as recently as last October," Benjamin wrote. "He's probably content standing pat, with $18.5 million due from the Saints in 2026." It may not be the ideal trade, but there are upsides for each team. The Saints could further their rebuild, and the Broncos' backfield could become one of the most dangerous units in the NFL. Related: Eagles Linebacker Offers 2025 Prediction for Broncos' Bo Nix This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL Analyst Suggests Broncos' Backfield Will Determine Depth of Team's Offensive Success
NFL Analyst Suggests Broncos' Backfield Will Determine Depth of Team's Offensive Success originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Denver Broncos' backfield in 2025 will be entirely different than its 2024 version. The Broncos were led by Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin in 2024, combining for 1,009 yards. Advertisement However, with Williams heading to the Dallas Cowboys this offseason and the Broncos' additions of RJ Harvey in the draft and J.K. Dobbins as a free agent, the Broncos' backfield will be headed by the new duo in 2025. The Athletic's Broncos' reporter Nick Kosmider believes this duo will be the driving force for how successful Denver's offense can be in 2025. The excitement in Denver around their rookie running back out of UCF is through the roof. Harvey ran for nearly 3,000 yards in his final two years as a Knight and caught an additional 39 passes for 505 yards. Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey (37) during rookie minicamp at Broncos Park Powered by Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images "Denver drafted RJ Harvey in the second round, and the rookie showcased good hands and crisp route-running ability during the offseason program," Kosmider wrote. Advertisement In his senior year at UCF, Harvey led the Big 12 in yards per attempt, rushing touchdowns, and scrimmage touchdowns. Dobbins arrives in Denver after collecting 909 yards and nine touchdowns in just 13 games for the Chargers in 2023. Kosmider believes the battle between the two backs could be one of the most intriguing in Broncos' training camp. However, it's likely Sean Payton will use the duo as a two-headed monster in the Broncos' backfield as he's done in his past. There's a lot of expectation around quarterback Bo Nix in his second season, with the hope that he rises to the occasion. However, Kosmider points out that Denver's offensive ceiling is more centered around the production they get from their backfield duo than Nix's second-year jump. Advertisement Nix can play as well as he wants, but defenses will find a way to stop the pass if the ground game doesn't pick up steam. Vice versa, if the Broncos can't find production through the rushing attack, it makes Nix's job that much more difficult. The Broncos' offense looks ready for takeoff in 2025, but just as Nix is looking for another year of development, Denver's rushing attack could be the most crucial factor this season. Related: Broncos Organization Adds New Face Who Was With Golden State Warriors This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
