After five NFL seasons, a grueling recovery from injuries, and working under a series of demanding coaches, J.K. Dobbins is confident he understands what it takes to be a team’s primary running back. Now with the Denver Broncos, he is determined to secure that role, believing his experience has prepared him for the nuances of the position under head coach Sean Payton.
“A lot of people think running back is you get the ball, run left, run right or run through the middle,” Dobbins said. “And that’s important, a big part of it, but is it what will get you the most snaps in this offense? Well, no, there’s a quarterback protection thing we’ve got to do.”
He emphasized that proficiency on third downs will be the true differentiator. “In this offense, how we as backs do your job to help Bo [Nix] with the ball, protect Bo without it, is what will be the deciding factor I think,” Dobbins added.
Revitalizing the ground attack around the rookie quarterback has been a major offseason focus for the Broncos. Following a 2024 season postmortem, Payton identified the running game as an area needing significant improvement, noting a lack of “sauce” and explosive plays.
The statistics supported his assessment. None of the Broncos’ top three running backs last season managed a run longer than 21 yards. In fact, Nix accounted for six of the team’s 10 runs of 20-plus yards. The running back corps combined for just 38 carries of 10 or more yards—a figure dwarfed by top rushers like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Jahmyr Gibbs, who each surpassed 41 such runs individually.
“We have to be more explosive in that area,” Payton stated. “So we first look at ourselves, the scheme… Then we’re looking at who are we asking to do it with. Obviously, we’ve added some players in the running back room, and we’re going to be much improved in that area.”
Payton has said he is as eager as anyone to see how the backfield rotation solidifies. “I think when we get through those first four weeks of the regular season, you guys, myself included, will all have a better feel for, ‘This is what we’re seeing now. It looks positive,'” he remarked.
So far in training camp, Dobbins, who rushed for 905 yards with the Chargers last season, has handled most of the first-team snaps. His comprehensive skill set is a key reason Denver signed him; defensive coordinator Vance Joseph previously highlighted Dobbins’ rare “third-down intelligence.”
“You’ve got blitzes to worry about, we have to read that part of the defense, we have to know and we have to pick it up,” Dobbins explained. “Otherwise the quarterback is getting hit and guess what? If you’re a running back who’s in there and gets the quarterback hit, you’re a running back who isn’t getting the ball.”
Sharing reps with Dobbins is rookie RJ Harvey, a second-round pick who has impressed with his quickness and vision. Harvey acknowledged the steep learning curve from college to the pros, particularly in the passing game.
“I’ve discovered a lot of things you’re learning now you didn’t learn in college,” Harvey said. “The detail is just way more. And that third down is extremely important, move the chains, protect the quarterback, get out in your routes and get the first downs, that’s what they need.”
The departure of 2024’s leading rusher, Javonte Williams, to the Cowboys has opened the door for a crowded field of contenders. Jaleel McLaughlin, described by Payton as a “change of pace” back, has added nearly 20 pounds to his frame to improve his physicality. He joins Audric Estime, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson in a fierce competition for what will likely be limited roster spots, as the Broncos kept only four running backs last September.
Payton has assured that all running backs will receive ample opportunities during the preseason to make their case. For Dobbins, the competition is a positive, and he is confident in the collective ability of the group.
“If you got a beast back there, you’re going to give him the ball,” Dobbins said. “But that said, this group is young, talented and they all could have impact with the ball, they’re all beasts. We want that for each other.”
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