Welcome to fantasy football land: Where running backs matter
By James Doino
Round 3 Target: J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens
There will be competition for carries with both Lamar Jackson and Gus Edwards, with the latter most likely assuming goal line touches, but that in no way scares me away from Dobbins.
Dobbins down the stretch was by far the best runner in the Ravens backfield. He thrived in that role more than doubling his fantasy production in the second half of the year.
This is not an offense that targets the running backs a lot in the passing game but the opportunities should come often for Dobbins in an offense that has finished top two in both rushing attempts and yards over the last three seasons.
2021 Outlook via ESPN
"“Dobbins is entering his second NFL season after an impressive rookie campaign in which he paced the NFL in both yards per carry (6.0) and yards after contact (2.5). Granted the elite efficiency came on relatively low volume in Baltimore’s committee attack (134 carries), but the second-round pick’s production increased down the stretch. Dobbins averaged 7.4 fantasy PPG during his first nine NFL games before posting 13-plus points in six-consecutive games to finish the season (17.0 per game). Gus Edwards will remain involved as a rusher and targets will be rare in Greg Roman’s scheme (Baltimore’s 63 RB targets in 2020 ranked 31st), but Dobbins’ role in Baltimore’s high-scoring offense is enough to allow RB2 production.”"
Word to the Wise: The Red Zone may be frustrating for Dobbins owners this season. There is a good chance Dobbins does a lot work in between the 20’s only to have TD’s “vultured” by both Jackson and Gus Edwards.