Good morning, Broncos Country!
J.K. Dobbins has been everything the Denver Broncos needed, and then some.
When the veteran running back signed in Denver this offseason, there was a hope he could make the running backs room and the offense better. Since Dobbins has fought injuries throughout his career, there was some uncertainty.
The first eight games of his tenure with the Broncos show he’s making an immediate impact on the field and off. At this point in the NFL season, only the Indianapolis Colts’ Jonathan Taylor and Buffalo
Bills’ James Cook have more rushing yardage than Dobbins’ 634 yards. And only those two backs average more yardage on the ground per game than Dobbins.
When Broncos head coach Sean Payton was asked about the impact Dobbins is making on the roster, Payton said:
“It’s been fantastic. It’s one of those things that in free agency — I said it about (Saints linebacker) Demario Davis. I didn’t know I was getting all this other stuff. I would say the same for him in a very positive way. He loves being out here. He loves … you guys have been around him. It’s infectious. All your good teams have guys like that. (Broncos defensive tackle Malcolm) Roach is that way. There is a number of guys that way. It’s important.”
The biggest reason why Dobbins is one of the best running backs in football right now is efficiency. When he’s on the field, he’s proven how good he is, and he’s doing that in Denver. He’s got great vision. He possesses great burst. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. He protects on passing downs. In other words, Dobbins is a complete back.
“One of the discussions, and I can remember with (former New Orleans Saints running back Mark) Ingram, or (Saints RB Alvin) Kamara, or any of these runners, the key would be, ‘How long can I play in this league?’” Payton said to the local media this week. “It’s harder just in a one (-back system). I think that he’s helped that room a bunch. He and RJ (Harvey) have complemented each other. When you see one guy score, and the bench [clears], it doesn’t matter who it is. Those are positive signs. He’s been great. He’s doing a great job.”
On top of what Dobbins is bringing as a running back, he’s a leader for rookie running back RJ Harvey. Not to mention the offense and the team as a whole. Now the Broncos have one of the best running back duos in the NFL as well.
“Just an edge,” Broncos quarterback Bo Nix said when asked what Dobbins brings to the team. “We’re going to be a top offense. We’re going to do the right things at practice. We’re going to play over again if we haven’t done it right. He just has those guys playing hard for him, and he’s running the ball really well. He’s doing a good job.
“He’s out there helping RJ with different things. He’s being a great leader, and he’s just putting his head down and he goes to work. He plays really hard. I know I mentioned after the game, but he protects well. He protects for the pocket, he runs routes, and catches the football out of the backfield. He runs the ball hard when he gets his chance. We always knew he was a complete back, but he’s really showing that off.”
Now it’s time for the Broncos to extend Dobbins and keep the veteran running back in Denver.
For what it’s worth, that’s what he wants, too.
“Far as extension and stuff like that, that doesn’t cross my mind, but me just wanting to be here in Denver, yes,” he said to the media. “I hope to end my career here and be here for the rest of my time in the NFL. Far as extension and all that, though, I don’t think about that. I don’t really think about that. But, yeah, that would be nice, because I want to be in Denver.
“I love it. I love the fan base. I think the fan base and I have a connection. I love my teammates, and I also love Sean Payton.”
