The Indianapolis Colts could benefit from adding depth at running back. Should they consider signing free agent J.K. Dobbins?
Drake Wally of Sports Illustrated highlighted Dobbins as a potential impact signing for the Colts:
“This would be a risky signing for Indy given J.K. Dobbins’ extensive injury history, but after his resurgence in 2024 with the Los Angeles Chargers, he could be a valuable addition to support Jonathan Taylor,” Wally wrote.
As noted, Dobbins could provide much-needed support for star running back Jonathan Taylor in the Colts’ backfield. With several key decisions looming in the 2025 offseason, is pursuing Dobbins a move Indianapolis should consider?
Running Back J.K. Dobbins Listed as Impactful Free Agent Signing for the Indianapolis Colts
Spotlighting His Football Career
J.K. Dobbins played three seasons for the Ohio State Buckeyes and made an immediate impact, rushing for 181 yards in his debut. He earned MVP honors in the 2017 Big Ten Championship Game after running for 174 yards and set a freshman rushing record with 1,403 yards that season.
In his sophomore year, Dobbins recorded 1,053 rushing yards. He followed that up with a remarkable 2019 campaign, rushing for 2,003 yards and 21 touchdowns—becoming the first player in Buckeyes history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a season. Given Ohio State’s storied history of elite running backs, this was a historic feat. After that standout season, Dobbins declared for the NFL Draft, opting to forgo his senior year.
The Baltimore Ravens selected him in the second round (55th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he rushed for 805 yards and nine touchdowns. However, injuries derailed the next three seasons—he missed all of 2021 with a torn ACL, was limited to eight games in 2022 due to another knee injury, and played just one game in 2023 after tearing his Achilles.
Dobbins signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in April 2024. Despite missing four games with an MCL sprain, he bounced back with 909 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He also contributed as a receiving option for Justin Herbert, catching 32 passes for 153 yards. His resilience has made him a finalist for the AP Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Should the Colts Sign Him?
Jonathan Taylor remains one of the NFL’s top running backs, coming off an impressive 2024 season with 1,431 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. However, the Colts lack a highly productive backup. Zack Moss effectively filled that role in 2023, but after departing for the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency, Indianapolis never found a true replacement.
While J.K. Dobbins is a talented running back when healthy, his injury history makes signing him a significant risk. Instead of taking that gamble, the Colts should look to the draft for a backup to Taylor. A prospect like Miami’s Damien Martinez, whom some mock drafts have linked to Indianapolis, would be a solid addition. Given these factors, the Colts should pass on signing Dobbins this offseason.
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