To say it was surprising former Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins fell to the second round and was the fifth running back taken in the 2020 NFL Draft would be an understatement. Sure, maybe head coaches, executives, and scouts didn’t think he was a complete fit for the scheme and system they run, but the tape simply didn’t lie.
Dobbins has an uncommon blend of vision, speed, strength, and character that doesn’t come along very often. It all worked out just fine for the Baltimore Ravens though, as they jumped at the chance to grab Dobbins despite already having more than one running back on the roster capable of toting the mail in the NFL.
And that wasn’t lost on Dobbins. He knows that he has to fit into a team concept initially and prove himself, but it won’t be easy. Dobbins has had early success at every level he’s been. He was at La Grange High School in Texas and broke out his sophomore season, rushing for 2,243 yards and 37 touchdowns.
When he came to Ohio State, he immediately broke the school’s freshman rushing record. He then split time with Mike Webber his sophomore season, then broke the single-season Ohio State rushing record in 2020.
Our sister site, Ravens Wire was there at the video press conference where Dobbins laid the groundwork for how he feels about fitting in, and what he wants his future role to be.
“I don’t know how patient I can be,” Dobbins said in the video press conference Friday. “My thing is, I’m just trying to work hard, I’m trying to play, I’m trying to get on the field someway somehow. My goal ain’t to be patient.”
J.K. Dobbins says his goal is Super Bowl, 'not sitting on the bench' https://t.co/G602QvLyrY
— The Ravens Wire (@TheRavensWire) July 31, 2020
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Dobbins knows he has his work cut out for him and that he’s probably not going to be the starter right away, but he’s hoping his work ethic and production sets him up as the future of the position in Baltimore.
“I’m not saying I’m going to start or anything but I feel like if I just work hard enough and show the coaches I can play at this level then I’m going to be on the field,” Dobbins said.
And he wants to be a part of things immediately, not as an afterthought or mop-up duty development.
“My goal is to help the team win a Super Bowl, not sitting on the bench,” Dobbins said.
Knowing what we know about Dobbins and his character, I would bet against him. He’s got all the tools to be one of the best backs in the NFL, it just might not happen immediately.
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