By John Rigolizzo
Newly signed Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins says it was “a no-brainer” to join the team.
The Broncos signed Dobbins to a one-year, $2.745 million deal with up to $2.5 million more in incentives.
In an interview at the Broncos’ minicamp Wednesday, he complimented his teammates and embraced his role as the veteran leader, promising to be a role model for rookie R.J. Harvey and the rest of the young running backs.
“It’s a true blessing to me,” Dobbins said. “I’m so happy to be here. We’re going to do great things this year.”
Dobbins said he felt like the Broncos were the best fit for him.
“The defense is really good, like super good, quarterback’s amazing,” he said. “I like the RB room, O-line is amazing as well, so it was a no-brainer. And coach Sean Payton and all the other coaches on staff, too, so I know I’ll get coached well here. And I also heard that it’s a good fan base. So that’s why I’m here.”
The six-year veteran joins a very young running back room.
Tyler Badie, a former sixth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2022 NFL Draft, was the most experienced player on the roster before Dobbins signed; he had just 11 carries for 86 yards last season.
Jaleel McLaughlin was the team’s second-leading rusher in 2024 with 496 yards and one touchdown. Audric Estime, the Broncos’ fifth-round pick in the 2024 Draft, contributed 310 yards and two TDs on 76 carries. Blake Watson was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and had 4 carries for 10 yards. The Broncos drafted R.J. Harvey out of UCF in the second round of the 2025 Draft.
Dobbins embraced that role Wednesday.
“I know this room is also young,” he said. “So I want to bring some leadership to them, help them grow as NFL players, because it can be tough, especially like the young rookie R.J. He’s going to be really good, and it’s my job as a six-year vet … to help him grow and pass the game along to him, and hopefully he has a great career.”
He also had high praise for Harvey.
“He’s going to be really good,” Dobbins said. “I see a special player in him, and he’s going to help me out, I’m going to help him out. He’s going to be great.”
At his post-practice presser on Wednesday, head coach Sean Payton praised Dobbins’s running balance and instincts. In response to a reporter’s question about his explosive running ability, Payton appeared to say that Dobbins has an X factor to his success.
“We’ve got the little sensors in the pads, and that’s good for the production booth…but you want to see, when a play is blocked, you want to see that yardage and some,” he said.
“The good runners, they have a little spaghetti sauce to the recipe that’s important, and I don’t want to make comparisons with him, because I haven’t been with him long enough, but when you see the consistency, it’s not an accident.”
Dobbins had great success extending plays past his blockers in 2024. According to Pro Football Reference, of his 905 yards, more than half—489—came after contact. That number ranked 15th among NFL rushers. His 2.5 yards after contact per rushing attempt was 7th in the league. He was fourth in the league in broken tackles, with 24.
Payton said Wednesday that none of the running backs have had their roles defined, but Dobbins brings more of the skills of a consistent rusher to the running back room.
At 5 foot 7 and 187 pounds, McLaughlin is the smaller, faster back who thrives in open space; Watson and Badie are similarly built. The 5-foot-11, 227-pound Estime was used as the short-yardage power back last season. Harvey combines a dense frame—standing 5 foot 8 and weighing 205 pounds—with 4.4 speed; he has been speculated as Payton’s versatile “Joker” player. Payton complimented Harvey’s receiving skills Wednesday, but said he has not earned his “Joker wings” yet.
Dobbins was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens out of Ohio State in the second round of the 2020 draft. He appeared in 15 games as a rotational back for the Ravens, rushing for 805 yards and nine touchdowns, and adding 18 catches for 120 receiving yards.
But injuries derailed his time in Baltimore. He missed the entire 2021 season with an ACL tear; played just eight games in 2022 due to another knee injury, then played just one game in 2023 due to an Achilles tear.
He signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 and had a breakout season, rushing for 905 yards and nine TDs, with 32 catches for 153 receiving yards. He was a finalist for the 2024 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
