2020 NFL Draft: Ohio St RB J.K. Dobbins top five team fits
By Ian Higgins
HB. J.K. Dobbins. player. 15. Scouting Report. Ohio State. 24. Pick Analysis
2020 Projected Starter: Alvin Kamara
Key Free Agents: N/A
After the departure of Mark Ingram to the Baltimore Ravens, Alvin Kamara was left without a legitimate complementary running mate in the backfield. Latavius Murray has had his moments but is not going to be the standout back you want supporting your star. Kamara saw a dramatic downturn in production, specifically in finding the endzone, in 2019 and will look to resurrect his prior production as the star ‘change-of-pace’ back he has always been.
Dobbins would not only bring back a tough presence to this running backs group, but he would also allow for added versatility in their power-run offense in comparison to former mainstay Ingram.
Dobbins would operate as a first and/or second down back to keep the offense on schedule and open up the rest of the offense for Kamara. Dobbins is also a more prolific pass-catcher and general playmaker than Ingram, meaning New Orleans could find themselves in the position to use two-back sets with one split out wide or both in the backfield flanking Drew Brees.
Few NFL offenses have played with the idea of two-star backs in the backfield on any given snap, and drafting Dobbins would give New Orleans a stud who can lift some of the weight of the offense off of both Kamara & Thomas’ shoulders.