Tag: J.K. Dobbins

NFL.com names seven Ohio State players in top 150 of 2020 draft

NFL.com ranked the top 150 players of the 2020 NFL Draft and seven belong to Ohio State. Who are they, and where are they ranked?

The 2020 NFL Draft is just days away now. On Thursday, there’s a good chance anyone that’s yearning for sports on television that doesn’t involve watching another classic re-run, will tune in and provide some pretty high ratings for round one.

And if you’r an OSU fan, you’ll hear a lot of former Buckeyes’ names called during the duration of the draft. At least two names will be heard on day one, and then as many as eight or more after that throughout the weekend.

On that note, NFL.com’s Gil Brandt ranked the top 150 draft-eligible players for this year, and there are seven Ohio State players included on the list. That would generally take things through four-and-a-half rounds.

Here are the rankings of those Buckeye players and what NFL.com said about the guys projected to go earlier.

Next … Chase Young

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Five Ohio State players ranked in ESPN’s top 100 prospects for 2020 NFL draft

ESPN listed the top 100 players of the 2020 NFL draft, and Ohio State has five players appearing. Where are they ranked?

We’re only a few days away from some real, live sports folks. It’s not a competition of the field, but this year’s version of the NFL draft that’s been must-see television for years now.

We’ll continue to see mock draft after mock draft speculating and projecting where players will go in 2020, and you know we’ll be on top of it. But ESPN’s Jeff Legwold isn’t doing things a little differently and just ranking prospects by the best available regardless of position or need.

In his top ranking of the top 100 prospects, Legwold has Ohio State well represented. Just for context, anyone in the top 100 would basically grade out through the first three rounds of the draft plus four picks. And in this case, the Buckeyes have five total players ranked by Legwold.

Here is what he says about each, including their overall ranking. Unlike most, he doesn’t have Chase Young as the best overall player, but at No. 2 behind Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons.

First up … Defensive end Chase Young

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Mel Kiper picks three Ohio State players among some of his favorites of the 2020 NFL draft

Mel Kiper has identified his favorite players at each position in the 2020 NFL draft, and three of them hail from Ohio State.

We are now less than a week away from the 2020 NFL draft in all of its virtual glory. Ohio State has historically been a monster as far as producing NFL talent and this year proves to be no different. We’ll likely hear Chase Young and Jeff Okudah go among the top five or ten players, and many more will follow from there throughout the seven rounds.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. has been analyzing and mocking drafts longer than I can remember. He studies a ton of tape, has an unbelievable reservoir of knowledge to draw from, and has the hair to set it all off.

Like anyone though, Kiper has his favorite players (subscription required) at each position he’s studied, and this year, three of those are Ohio State Buckeyes. That trio includes Chase Young, Damon Arnette, and J.K. Dobbins. Here’s what he says about all three along with a draft projection …

Next … What Kiper says about J.K Dobbins

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J.K. Dobbins has video conferences set up with several NFL teams

Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins will be taken early in the NFL draft. Several teams have video conferences set up with him already.

Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins just finished off arguably the best single-season any Buckeye running back has ever had. He set the record for the most rushing yards in a single season with 2,003 yards and came within a whisker of getting an invite to New York as a Heisman finalist (he finished 6th in the voting).

Now he has forgone his seniors season and set his sights on the 2020 NFL draft. At 5-foot, 10-inches, he’s got a rare blend of power, speed, vision, and intangibles that will be very attractive to teams looking for a running back. And while guys toting the rock aren’t in as much demand as they were a decade or so ago, his talent will still get plenty of attention.

Dobbins has already met with the Miami Dolphins in person prior to all the social-distancing measures being put in place, and now we know he has several other virtual meetings set up.

According to a report from Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Dobbins will be meeting via video conference with not only the Texans, but the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, and Dolphins again.

That’s a lot of interest and could result in Dobbins getting a boost in his NFL draft status. As it stands right now, most mocks have him going early in the second round, but some have him just making the cut as a late first-rounder. Either he, Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor, or Georgia’s D’Andre Swift will most likely be the first running back taken somewhere in that neighborhood.

He’s more than likely going to be the third Buckeye taken off the board (with Damon Arnette also close) behind Chase Young and Jeff Okudah. It’s just a matter of which team likes him enough to pull the trigger.

However, keep an eye on what happens, because with this much interest someone might fall in love with him enough to wheel and deal and lock him into a solid day one pick.

Prospect for the Pack: Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins

Breaking down the draft profile of Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins, a potential pick for the Packers in the 2020 draft.

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The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.

Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.

Up next is Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins:

What he can do

– Built low to the ground at 5-9. Compact frame, with big, powerful legs

– Tons of experience as a one-cut runner. Wants to get upfield with initial patience following by burst

– More powerful than truly elusive. Runs through more tackles than he truly avoids, but shifty at the second level

– Can be really subtle at the line, allowing blocks to form and picking through small spaces in traffic. Effectively uses stop-start move

– Has open-field speed. Ran away from a lot of people at the college level. Had seven runs over 40 yards in 2019. Home-run hitting ability could translate

– Super durable despite high workload. Played in 42 games over three years and never missed a game

– Production in the passing game. Caught 71 total passes. Did damage in the screen game.

– Scored receiving touchdowns on at least one wheel route, angle route and vertical route

– Weaves through defenders effortlessly in space

– Will leap over the pile to score near the end zone

– Strong stiff arm in the open field. Finishes runs with physicality

– Willing and capable in pass pro, although, like all young backs, needs more development. Three-down potential

– Buckeye legend. Rushed for over 2,000 yards in 2019. Three-straight seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards. Finished as the second-leading rusher in school history

How he fits

Potentially as a long-term upgrade on Jamaal Williams, who is a free agent after the 2020 season, and as a future starting running back if the Packers can’t re-sign Aaron Jones. Dobbins is a safe, high-floor prospect who has an easily translatable skillset to the next level. The running back position remains a sneaky need for the Packers considering the current contract situations of Williams and Jones, and Dexter Williams – last year’s sixth-round pick – is far from a sure thing. How much do the Packers value the running back position? This draft could tell the story, considering the talent – like Dobbins – that could available on Day 2. Dobbins has toughness, one-cut ability and three-down potential, projecting as a quality starter at the next level. The Packers met with Dobbins ahead of the draft.

NFL comp 

De’Angelo Williams. Similar size, athleticism and college production. Like Williams, Dobbins could be a solid, consistent pro who can play for a long time and contribute to a pro-style offense in a number of different, valuable ways.

Where Packers could get him

Likely on Day 2, although projections for Dobbins vary. More than likely, the Packers would have to use pick No. 62 or No. 94 to get the Ohio State star.

Highlights

Previous Prospects for the Pack

WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike
RB Cam Akers
LB Malik Harrison
RB Darrynton Evans
WR Lynn Bowden Jr. 
WR Gabriel Davis
LB Josh Uche
CB Trevon Diggs
DB Terrell Burgess
OLB Terrell Lewis
CB A.J. Terrell
WR Quintez Cephus
TE Albert Okwuegbunam
QB Jalen Hurts
WR Tyler Johnson
IOL Cesar Ruiz
DB Ashtyn Davis
WR Quez Watkins
OT Ben Bartch
IOL Matt Hennessy
WR Isaiah Coulter

Packers to hold virtual pre-draft meeting with Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins

The Packers will host or have hosted a pre-draft video meeting with Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins.

The Green Bay Packers are one of the teams to meet with Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins before the 2020 draft.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Packers will hold or have hosted a video conference with Dobbins, the second-leading rusher in Ohio State history.

Teams have to meet with prospects virtually instead of face-to-face at team facilities due to the coronavirus pandemic. Other teams to meet with Dobbins include the Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins, per Wilson.

Dobbins (5-9, 209) rushed for 4,459 yards and 38 touchdowns over three seasons at Ohio State, including a school-record 2,003 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns during the 2019 season. He caught 71 career passes and scored five receiving touchdowns, highlighting three-down potential.

Dobbins didn’t run or jump at the NFL Scouting Combine but put up 23 reps on the bench.

The Packers don’t have an immediate need at running back, but Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams and Tyler Ervin are all free agents following the 2020 season, creating a future need if the Packers lose Jones or Williams after next year.

Projections for Dobbins vary, but many draft analysts consider him to be a top-50 to top-75 player in the draft class. It will likely take a Day 2 pick to acquire him next week. The Packers hold late picks in the second (No. 62) and third round (No. 94).

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The Ravens shouldn’t be afraid of drafting a RB early

Though the Ravens have Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill on the roster, they shouldn’t stay away from RB in the 2020 NFL Draft

The Baltimore Ravens enter the 2020 NFL Draft with some pretty specific needs for this season, and a running back isn’t at the top of the list. With Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill returning after breaking a 41-year old rushing record, it seems as though the Ravens are in good hands. But that shouldn’t completely remove running back from Baltimore’s draft board, even in the first three rounds.

Just taking a look at the Ravens’ playoff game against the Tennessee Titans should be enough evidence of their need at running back. With Ingram reinjuring the calf that held him out of Week 17 and half of Week 16 and Edwards not being used very much, the majority of the rushing attack fell on Lamar Jackson’s shoulders, which clearly made Baltimore’s offense a little one dimensional with the end result being an early exit from the postseason. If we’ve learned anything of the Ravens’ strategy from their offseason moves to date, it’s that they’re looking to fix the problems that held them back in the playoffs: running the ball, both for and against them.

But Baltimore has to look to the future as well where their need will become even greater. Edwards is on a one-year ERFA contract and while he’s still set to be a restricted free agent next offseason, there are no guarantees he’ll be back for 2021. Ingram could easily be cut after the 2020 season, saving Baltimore $5 million on their salary cap for 2021, according to Over The Cap. Even Hill, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, is far from a sure thing even though he’s shown flashes during his rookie campaign.

The Ravens have never been the type of organization to turn their entire focus on the short term and have often bucked immediate needs in favor of a player they love in spite of having depth already on the roster. Look no further than when cornerback Marlon Humphrey was selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. The Ravens had far bigger needs at other positions but grabbed the player they had rated higher, who turned into an All-Pro cornerback. Not a bad strategy, right?

The reality when looking at the Ravens’ roster is that they might not have any of their three running backs on the team for 2021. While they could wait to select one in the next draft, that puts them into a bind where they have to fill a need early on to find a guaranteed starter. When looking at how Baltimore tends to handle the draft, the strategy is to often fill a need before it becomes one.

Many mock drafts have seen running backs fall into the Ravens’ lap in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Guys like D’Andre Swift and Jonathan Taylor have been available at No. 28 often enough to see analysts make a habit of picking them. But the second and third rounds have solid running backs that work with Baltimore’s offensive scheme as well. J.K. Dobbins, Cam Akers, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Zack Moss should all be available on Day 2 of the draft and would look good in purple and black.

Though it’s tempting to want the Ravens to only pick players at their biggest needs for this season, looking a little further into the future could help Baltimore continue to evolve as an offense without skipping a beat.

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Chargers go quarterback, running back in Mel Kiper, Jr.’s latest mock draft

The Los Angeles Chargers bolster the offense in ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft

The 2020 NFL Draft is nearly a week away, which means we are on the final leg of mock drafts.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. recently compiled his fourth mock draft, in which he gave the Chargers the quarterback of the future and a running back to bolster the backfield.

Kiper kicked things off by slotting former Alabama signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 6 overall selection.

With Herbert going to Miami in this scenario, Tagovailoa is there for the Chargers, and he’d create some much-needed buzz around a team that is competing with the Rams in a huge market. The Chargers also have Tyrod Taylor to play right away, so Tagovailoa could take his time with his rehab from the injury that ended his season in November. If the Chargers decide to pass on a quarterback with this pick, keep an eye on their taking the top offensive tackle on the board.

Tagovailoa to Los Angeles has been a more popular pairing as of late because many believe that the Dolphins are now all in on Oregon QB Justin Herbert.

Originally, if L.A. wanted Tua they would have to jump in front of Miami in order to secure him. Now there’s a possibility that the former Alabama product could slide to where they’re picking.

There are many that are concerned with his injury history, but Tagovailoa has made steady progress with his recovery, recently going through a 75-throw workout that showed him moving around effortlessly.

Tagovailoa is the type of quarterback that Chargers are looking for, bringing a rare skillset to the table as a passer. He has the characteristics and leadership ability they would covet. His presence would also aide in bringing fans into their brand new stadium.

With their second-round pick Kiper has the Bolts taking Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins.

This is a great landing spot for Dobbins, a north-south runner who ran for 2,003 yards last season. With Melvin Gordon gone and Austin Ekeler taking over the lead role, Dobbins can work his way into the rotation and pick up first downs. The Chargers have the talent to make a run at a wild-card spot this season — if they can get consistent quarterback play.

Recently, I made three bold predictions, with one of them being Los Angeles taking a running back in Round 2. Kiper doesn’t think it’s far fetched.

After the departure of Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson make up the backfield.

Can Ekeler and Jackson get the job done? Absolutely. However, with their new offense likely to shift to a zone scheme and involve more run-pass options (RPOs), the running game will be a priority.

Allowing Ekeler to still serve a Swiss-Army knife and Jackson to be a third-down option, while adding Dobbins to be the feature back would give Los Angeles one of the best backfields they’ve had in years.

Dobbins wins with his tough and physical downhill running style, displaying great vision and contact balance to break off defenders. In the pass game, he is a solid check-down option and he’s a reliable pass protector.

In 42 career games, Dobbins totaled 4,459 rushing yards, 71 receptions for 645 yards and 43 total touchdowns.

#OnePride Fan Q/A: J.K. Dobbins to Detroit? Defensive line in the 2nd round?

#OnePride fans were presented a Q/A session with topics surrounding the Detroit Lions, J.K. Dobbins, drafting defensive line, and trades.

We at Lions Wire presented the #OnePride Twitter fan base several questions throughout the week, hoping to hear their voice on various topics concerning the Detroit Lions.

Through the use of Twitter polls, we were able to gauge the fans’ thoughts on a variety of topics, including what fans believe the Lions are poised to do in the upcoming NFL Draft.

J.K Dobbins to Detroit?

Zack’s take: The latest #OnePride fan mock draft showed fans are craving a running back with the selection of Jonathon Taylor in the 2nd round, and it shows in this question as well.

The Lions will surely be looking at running back this draft and I believe pick 85 is the sweet spot for this roster. Will J.K. Dobbins, one of the top running backs in the draft, make it to the 3rd round? Probably not, but if he does, he should be on the Lions radar.

Trade back into the 1st round?

Zack’s take: I agree with Lions fans on this one. There are talks that Epenesa could fall to the 2nd round, but he is such a perfect fit for this scheme, the Lions might not what to take that chance. Surrendering picks No. 35 and No. 85 should do the trick to move in the back half of the 1st round, which I don’t think is a huge price to pay for a player who could immediately contribute.

Position of need in the 2nd round?

Zack’s take: All of these positions are need for the Lions and will be addressed somewhere in the draft, but after the losses on the defensive line, the Lions could look early in the draft to fill that significant need. There should be a wide variety of defensive lineman available at pick 35.

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Which defensive lineman in the 2nd round?

Zack’s take: Blacklock has been mocked to the Lions on a few occasions, and as long as he lasts to the pick 35, I could easily see him being the selection if the Lions go that route.

Even though his run defense may need some refinement, his pass-rushing alone makes him worth it. With superb athleticism for a man his size, he can play at the 1- and 3-techniques, bullying his way through the middle of the offensive line. Marlon Davidson and Justin Madubuike would make excellent Plan B options offering similar athleticism and size — all checking in at 6-3 and roughly 300 pounds.

Keep your eyes open for future questions. We would love to hear your thoughts. If you have any questions you’d like to see answered, send a message, or leave a comment with your question. Thank you to all Lions fans and the #OnePride nation.

Ohio State football’s ten most memorable plays of 2019

Ohio State had a slew of memorable plays from this past football season. Here’s a ranking of the ten most meaningful.

There’s never a shortage of highlights and memorable plays during almost any Ohio State football season. There were a ton in 2019 as well, but with the Buckeyes blowing out most opponents, most of them didn’t result in as much exhilaration as years’ past. Nonetheless, they were still memorable.

We’re all in shut-down mode because of the COVID-19 health crisis, so what better time to reflect upon a mighty memorable season on the gridiron by Ohio State. One in which it proved a lot of doubters wrong and came within a whisker of playing for the national title.

Here’s a look at the top ten plays of the 2019 Ohio State football season. WARNING: Not all plays will make you feel warm and fuzzy. Memorable does not mean exuberant.

Next … No. 10 – Fields on the radar

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