Is Dobbins a first-rounder? Mock drafts leaning against it
THE BLADE
Thu, 23 Jan 2020 16:08:44 GMT
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Is Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins poised to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft?
According to the most recent online projections, there isn't a clear answer, but there is a trend.
The Blade surveyed 17 popular mock drafts, and Dobbins' name appeared in the first round in six of them.
Dobbins (5-foot-10, 216 pounds) certainly played his way into the first-round discussion after rushing for 2,003 yards and 21 touchdowns last season for the Buckeyes. He would become the ninth Ohio State running back taken in the opening round since the AFL-NFL merger and first since Ezekiel Elliott in 2016.
ESPN's Todd McShay in his first mock draft had Dobbins going at No. 31 to the San Francisco 49ers.
On a recent episode of ESPN’s SportsCenter, McShay said: “As much as we talk about Justin Fields and the defense and Chase Young, I think Dobbins was the MVP of that football team this year. And I think because of the production that he has and the explosiveness that he has, I think he could be a first-round pick.
“But I feel very confident saying he's going to go in the top 40 and will probably be the first or second running back off the board.”
Kansas City was the most popular potential destination for Dobbins. Three mock drafts — The Draft Network, NBC Sports, and Drafttek — have him going last or second to last in the first round to team up with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“Kansas City's backfield situation has been inconsistent since Kareem Hunt left,” The Draft Network's Joe Marino wrote. “J.K. Dobbins is an all-around back with terrific vision, decision-making, pace, physicality and burst. He can certainly step in and solve the problem.”
Two other mock drafts, The Athletic and Bleacher Report, have Dobbins taking his talents to Miami as early as No. 18 in the first round.
“A running back in the first round is a luxury,” The Athletic's Dane Brugler wrote, “but the Dolphins were abysmal in the running game this season, averaging 72.2 rushing yards per game and 3.3 yards per rush. Dobbins has the skills to be a three-down back and his vision and instincts are what set him apart from the other backs in this class.”
Other running backs projected for the first round were Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor and Georgia's D'Andre Swift.