The Chargers recently hosted running back J.K. Dobbins on a free-agent visit, but they are not the only AFC West team showing interest. The Chiefs will bring Dobbins in on Tuesday, per his agency (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter).
Dobbins entered the offseason as one of several notable running backs on the market. To little surprise, many other producers at the position quickly landed a deal while the former Ravens starter remains unsigned. Two major ailments have defined Dobbins’ career: the major knee injury suffered in the 2021 preseason, which included an ACL tear, and the Achilles tear, which ended his 2023 campaign in Week 1.
When on the field, though, the 25-year-old has proven to be an effective rusher. Dobbins averaged six yards per carry in his rookie season, one in which he took over from Mark Ingram as Baltimore’s lead back midway through the campaign. That led to high expectations ahead of 2021, but the injury sidelined him well into the 2022 season. A cleanup procedure produced another absence, but upon return, Dobbins proved still efficient (5.7 yards per carry in eight games).
The Ohio State product would represent a high-upside addition to Kansas City’s offense, a unit that has seen former first-rounder Clyde Edwards-Helaire‘s rookie deal expire. The latter remains unsigned, as does veteran Jerick McKinnon. Kansas City still has Isiah Pacheco on the books for two more years, and he and Dobbins would comprise a low-cost backfield provided the former second-rounder was forced to sign a ‘prove-it’ deal in the wake of his availability issues.
The Ravens lost 2023 touchdown leader Gus Edwards to the Chargers, who have a familiar offensive coordinator in Greg Roman. Baltimore has added Derrick Henry, a move suggesting Dobbins could be forced to head elsewhere on his second contract. With multiple suitors now in play, it will be interesting to see how much of a market he can generate and if a deal is worked out before the upcoming draft. Pending the Carson Wentz agreement becoming official, Kansas City currently has $6.5M in cap space.
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