2020 NFL Draft: Ohio St RB J.K. Dobbins top five team fits
By Ian Higgins
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Ohio State. J.K. Dobbins. 13. HB. 37. player
2020 Projected Starter: Justin Jackson
Key Free Agents: Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler (RFA)
After a contract debacle to open the season followed by an unimpressive regular season, Melvin Gordon is not going to be getting his desired payday from his former team. Then consider the emergence of Austin Ekeler (who is currently a restricted free agent), it is unlikely we see the return of the former Wisconsin Badgers star.
Ekeler is a talented player but is by no means a three-down back in the NFL. His skill set as a scatback who can make plays in open space has its own value, but is not going to translate to 20+ carries a game plus his current workload. Dobbins would be a great running mate alongside Ekeler, providing an interior running presence that Ekeler simply can’t handle.
The Chargers are already a loaded offense with plenty of weapons through the air, and adding a true running threat in the backfield will be difficult to defend. Keenan Allen is able to create separation in any one-on-one matchup, Mike Williams is an athletic specimen, Hunter Henry has shown his ability to operate as a mismatch tight end (if he returns in free agency), and Ekeler is your typical scat-back mismatch.
Having to then allocate defensive resources to the box to defend the run will stretch defenses thin, and with a competitive quarterback in 2020 will be a scary offense to defend.