After missing all of 2021 recovering from a torn ACL and playing eight games in '22 with lingering knee issues, is JK Dobbins a worthwhile fantasy football draft pick in '23? The former second-round pick showed flashes of his pre-injury form at the end of the fantasy season, but with the Ravens' RB flexed within a timeshare, it remains to be seen whether there's value in his early ADP.
While Dobbins was efficient with his workload last season, given his inconsistent usage in the receiving game, he's a touchdown-dependent fantasy RB better suited for standard formats.
Below, we'll break down Dobbins' 2023 fantasy outlook and decide whether he's a smart draft pick in fantasy football leagues.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2023 Fantasy Cheat Sheet
JK Dobbins injury update: How long will Ravens' RB be out?
Dobbins (knee) was officially removed from the Ravens' physically unable to perform list (PUP) on Aug. 14, meaning the running back is eligible to return to practice. Dobbins wasn't present during the team's OTA's and missed the Ravens' mandatory minicamps, citing concerns about his current contract status. Dobbins is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and injuries aside, is seeking a new deal.
Now that he's off the PUP list, fantasy owners can expect his workload to ramp up leading into Week 1. Dobbins didn't play in the preseason, but he almost certainly be on the field in Baltimore's regular-season opener on Sept. 10.
2023 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Ks | Top 200 | S-Flex | IDP
JK Dobbins' 2023 fantasy ranking and ADP
Entering the season, SN Fantasy has Dobbins ranked as the No. 19 RB in PPR formats and the No. 16 RB in standard ones. With Dobbins likely to lead the Ravens' backfield while sitting as the team's primary early-down back, he's valued as a low-end RB2 in both standard and PPR formats. After hauling in just 11 receptions in nine games last season (eight regular season, one playoff), Dobbins' lack of consistent usage in the passing game yields a higher ranking in standard scoring leagues.
FantasyPros has Dobbins' ADP at No. 67 in PPR formats and No. 53 in standard ones. His ADP translates to the overall RB25 in PPR formats and the RB22 in standard ones.
In PPR formats, other RBs coming off the board around the same time as Dobbins include Rachaad White (RB23), James Conner (RB24), D'Andre Swift (RB26), and Dalvin Cook (RB27). In standard formats, those RBs include Miles Sanders (RB20), Conner (RB21), Cam Akers (RB23), and Swift (RB24).
2023 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Ks | Top 200 | S-Flex | IDP
JK Dobbins' fantasy outlook 2023
Considering Dobbins averaged the ninth-highest yards per touch among RBs in '22 (5.7) with the second-highest juke rate (43.4 percent) while practically playing on one leg, there's reason to believe he can end the season as a solid RB2 in both standard and PPR formats. Dobbins never saw a snap count greater than 50 percent that season, so his ceiling will be capped if the Ravens take a similar approach this year.
2023 FANTASY SLEEPERS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Each Team
Baltimore has one of the better offensive lines when it comes to run blocking, recording the seventh-highest run-blocking grade per PFF last season (68.8). While new offensive coordinator Todd Monken's scheme likely results in the Ravens passing at a much higher clip than last year, Dobbins will likely post the highest rushing output of his short career if he avoids a multi-week setback.
2023 AUCTION VALUES (Standard & PPR):
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Ks | Overall
Injury risk is a valid concern in drafting a player like Dobbins, but Draft Sharks' injury predictor pegs Dobbins as a "low risk," projecting the back to miss just 0.64 games in 2023. If their projection comes to fruition, there's a real shot he justifies his top-25 RB ADP. If a relatively healthy Dobbins sees consistent usage as the Ravens' primary early-down and red-zone back, he's a worthwhile draft pick as a fifth or sixth-round pick in his contract year.
2023 POSITION TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST
He showcased his explosiveness down the stretch last season, averaging 8.0 yards per carry in Week 14 and 9.6 YPC in Week 15, a potential sign of things to come with ample time for his knee to heal up. That said, we'd still avoid Dobbins at his ADP in PPR formats but do think he makes for a solid low-end RB2 in standard-scoring leagues.
