2020 NFL Draft scouting report: Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins

Scouting 2020 NFL Draft prospect and Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins. How does he stack up in this class?

The running back class in the 2020 NFL Draft is very deep and presents impact players on day two and day three. There is a bit of a cluster at the top, and that includes J.K. Dobbins. Dobbins really came on in his junior season after a down sophomore campaign and was a huge part of the Buckeyes run to the College Football Playoff. He decided to enter the 2020 NFL Draft and finds himself near the top of the pack. Let’s look at his scouting report.

Position: RB
School: Ohio State
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 209 pounds

2019 Stats: 301 carries, 2,003 yards, 21 touchdowns, 23 catches, 247 yards, two touchdowns

Games Watched: Indiana (2019), Nebraska (2019), Michigan State (2019), Northwestern (2019), Wisconsin (2019), Clemson (2019), FAU (2019), Cincinnati (2019)

Film Assessment

It’s time to go trait-by-trait and break down Dobbins’ game. Off we go!

Vision: Vision is one of the better traits Dobbins possesses. When he’s asked to hit certain gaps, Dobbins is extremely effective. He sees and hits the hole very well as a runner. There will be times where he misses a cutback lane, but more often than not, he finds the open gap and anticipates openings. Dobbins sifts through tight lanes very well but is often best when he bounces runs to the perimeter. However, those situations occur when he has nothing in front of him.

Patience: J.K. Dobbins is usually in full-go mode when he sees an opening, but he does stay patient on sweeps for an opening to cut up the field. There are instances where Dobbins gets too patient near the line of scrimmage and ends up getting tackled for a loss instead of taking no gain.

Burst: Dobbins doesn’t have the elite burst that some other running backs possess, but he has sufficient burst through rushing lanes working to the second level of the defense. He can get up to speed quickly in the short area and hits another gear when he gets into the open field.

Contact Balance: This is also one of Dobbins’ better traits. He avoids shoestring tackles well with his balance, and when players try to tackle him up high, forget about it. Dobbins shows great leg drive through contact and picks up plenty of extra yardage.

Pass Protection: When his assignment is in front of him, Dobbins is very effective as a blocker. He has a wide base and strong hands to handle blitzers. However, he’s not as good at scanning to identify other rushers when they get into the pocket. His chips also need some work.

Receiving Ability: His abilities as a three-down back are evident. There are a couple of bad drops on tape, but overall, Dobbins is a very reliable receiver. He excels on angle routes and wheel routes and can sit down in zones to help out his quarterback. He’s tough to contain after the catch with his quickness and ability to pick up yardage after contact.

Lateral Agility: Dobbins has it, folks. He sets up defenders really well and snaps off a quick cut to leave them in the dust. He stays balanced and compact with his cuts and can make defenders miss one-on-one when he needs to do so. When he gets into space, Dobbins makes it very tough on the secondary. His quickness makes defenders look silly on the back end and there isn’t much they can do.

Long Speed: Better than expected in this area. Dobbins has some home run ability to his game thanks to the second gear he hits as a runner in open space. He can break away from defenders for the most part, but there are times where he gets caught from behind. He likely won’t be a home run threat on every carry at the next level, but that won’t hinder him at all.

Toughness: Dobbins is a fighter through contact, and has the frame to be a bell-cow running back. His stiff arm is also very effective, no matter the defender. He should have no problem being an every-down back.

Ball Security: Dobbins has just four fumbles lost in 725 career carries, so there isn’t much concern when it comes to that.

Film Grade: 8.20/10 (Second Round Film)

Projection

J.K. Dobbins is one of the top running backs in the 2020 NFL Draft. He projects best into a gap scheme where he can anticipate the rush lane and hit it rather than a scheme more focused on outside zone. Dobbins has the receiving ability to be a three-down back at the next level, and his toughness through contact will make him valuable. Some of his better fits include the Dolphins, Falcons, and Texans.