J.K. Dobbins Fantasy Outlook & Injury Update 2022 (Will He Take Over the Ravens' Backfield?)

J.K. Dobbins put together an impressive rookie season in 2020, posting 925 yards from scrimmage while playing in 47% of the offensive snaps. Unfortunately, the Baltimore Ravens running back tore his ACL during the next preseason and missed the entire 2021 campaign. All eyes are on him in 2022.

With that being the case, it's no surprise to see fantasy managers weary of selecting Dobbins as a RB2 or higher. His average draft position (ADP) has him going as the 23rd running back off of the board and as an early fifth round selection.

J.K. Dobbins Fantasy Football Outlook

Forecasting how a player will return from an injury as significant as an ACL tear is never easy. Dobbins makes quick cuts and sudden changes of direction every time he gets the football. If he can return to full health, Dobbins has an opportunity to be the workhorse head coach John Harbaugh has been searching for. He averaged an impressive 6.0 yards per carry as a rookie and was a scoring force. Dobbins saw a team-high 29 rushes in the red zone and tallied 9 touchdowns as a result.

It's important to keep in mind that the Ravens are planning to implement a stronger rushing scheme after relying on the pass too often in 2021. Baltimore drafted center Tyler Linderbaum in the first round and traded away No. 1 wide receiver Marquise Brown to the Arizona Cardinals. Quarterback Lamar Jackson also thrives the most when he has a RB capable of keeping the defense on its toes. Dobbins' physicality and toughness will get the job done there.

Yes, Gus Edwards and Mike Davis remain on the roster in Baltimore. Dobbins has to find a way to assert himself over those two early on in the season. That's especially important considering Dobbins did not make a major impact in the passing attack as a rookie. It's also the main reason Dobbins' ceiling is that of a RB2 and not a RB1. His floor is a low-end RB3 if he can stay healthy.

J.K. Dobbins Injury Update

As mentioned above, Dobbins did not play a single snap in the 2021 regular season after suffering an ACL tear in August. The timing wasn't great by any means, but it has given the Ohio State product almost a full year to recover. He has stayed on course in his rehab, suffering no substantial setbacks.

While NFL insider Ian Rappoport reported that Dobbins may not be ready in time for Week 1, the running back himself refuted that in a fiery tweet. The 23-year-old has started training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform List (PUP), so it's worth keeping an eye on his status in the coming weeks.

J.K. Dobbins Projections

Projections from the NFL odds on FanDuel Sportsbook expect Dobbins to be in for a bounce back year. He's 12th to lead the NFL in rushing yards (+2500), which is obviously well above where he finished the 2020 season at with 805 yards on the ground. He is also 11th to lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns (+2500). That one shouldn't be too surprising after he racked up 9 touchdowns in 2020 and is expected to see a bigger role. When taking Dobbins' career averages into account (10.1 touches per game, 6.1-yard average), the idea of a 1,000-yard season is certainly not out of reach.

Is J.K. Dobbins a Good Fantasy Football Pick?

When it comes down to it, is Dobbins someone to target in the middle rounds? For sure. His ceiling greatly outweighs his ADP. He's the No. 20 running back in The Duel's PPR fantasy football rankings, and is a perfect pick for managers looking to solidify the RB position with a high-upside RB2.

It's important to note that reaching for Edwards just a few rounds after drafting Dobbins is a key strategy here. That would ensure you have full control over the Raven's backfield heading into Week 1. Both players have a shot to be fantasy relevant on their own, anyways.

If you've drafted Dobbins this year, or you're a Baltimore fan, make sure to check out the best Baltimore Ravens fantasy football team names for your squad.

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.