The Baltimore Ravens had one of the best rushing attacks in NFL history last season … and it’s likely only going to get better this year with the second-round addition of Ohio State tailback JK Dobbins. Here are Dobbins’ odds at Mybookie to win 2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year as well as the Ravens’ over/under win total.
- Odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year: +2200
- Ravens’ win total: 5 (under -120 favorite)
Dobbins was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft with the 55th pick by Baltimore. The Ravens previously traded tight end Hayden Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons to acquire the pick used on Dobbins.
Dobbins, who is from Texas, showed he was going to be special in his first-ever NCAA game, gashing Indiana for 181 yards on 29 carries. Dobbins had earned the start over the returning 2016 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Mike Weber who was recovering from an injury. Dobbins would become only the fourth freshman in Ohio State history to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark in a season. During the Big Ten title game, Dobbins overtook Maurice Clarett for the most rushing yards by a freshman with his 174-yard, MVP performance. Dobbins would finish with 1,403 yards.
The next year, Dobbins rushed for 1,053 yards and 10 scores while catching 26 passes for 263 yards and two scores. He was downright dominant in 2019 in finishing sixth in the Heisman voting. Dobbins rushed for 2,003 yards and 21 TDs while also catching two TD passes. He was the first Buckeye to reach 2,000 yards.
Dobbins had 10 100-yard rushing performances during his junior season, including a career-high 211 yards and four touchdowns in a 56-27 win at No. 10 Michigan. He ranked third nationally in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns and had seven rushes of 40 yards or more, including a 68-yard TD run in the first quarter of the CFP Semifinal vs. Clemson. Dobbins averaged 174.6 yards per game and 6.5 yards per carry with 11 touchdowns against six defenses that were ranked among the Top 13 rush defenses in the nation coming into the game with five of them Top 10.
He became the first Ohio State player ever to rush for 1,000 or more yards as a freshman, sophomore and junior and finished his career as the school’s second-leading rusher all-time with 4,459 yards, with two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin and his 5,589 yards the only player to run for more. Dobbins averaged 106.2 yards per game over his career and he totaled 5,104 all-purpose yards, with both figures ranking second in school history. His 6.2 yards per carry for his career was also second-best in school history and his 43 TDs scored are fifth.
Dobbins would have had even bigger numbers if he’d been leaned on more as he had 17 100-yard outings in the 23 career games where he got 15+ carries (14 or fewer carries in 19 of 42).
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta believes it would have been “irresponsible” for the team to not select Dobbins in the second round since he carried a round one grade on Baltimore’s board. “My philosophy is talent wins,” DeCosta said. “If you have a running back who you think can be a dynamic player for you and you are a team who loves to run the football, to me it makes too much sense.
“We think he’s a three-down back,” DeCosta added. “He’s been extremely durable. He’s an outstanding fit for what we like to do.”
Dobbins is an outstanding athlete with terrific speed, balance and playmaking ability. He sports a 5-foot-9, 209-pound frame and is a three-down option with the ability to contribute as an impact rusher and receiver. Landing in Baltimore’s high-scoring offense sets up Dobbins with a massive long-term ceiling, but he’s likely to be utilized as a change-of-pace back in the short term, with Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards and second-year Justice Hill also on the roster.
Dobbins will wear No. 27 with the Ravens. Why that number? “I always wore it in pee wee football. It was my dad’s number,” Dobbins said. “My dad passed when I was 15. So the reason why I wear No. 27 is to honor my father.” Dobbins’ father, Lawrence, was a star running back at the same high school where J.K. played – La Grange High in Texas.
