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Dobbins looked like Denver’s best pure runner last year before missing the final seven games with a Lisfranc injury. But Dobbins offers little in the passing game, which dings his floor and ceiling. He’s going well into RB3 territory in early drafting, though, behind RJ Harvey. That makes Dobbins a fine draft play (especially in best ball), with more upside outside of full-PPR formats.
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Dobbins played 10 games for Denver last year, rushing 153 times for 772 yards and 4 TDs. He added just 11 catches for 37 scoreless receiving yards. He finished:
Dobbins had no top-12 fantasy finishes. But he was a usable fantasy starter in more than half of his games, finishing as a top-24 RB six times. He also finished outside the top 24 four times and outside the top 36 once.
That made Dobbins more steady than exciting. He didn’t deliver many difference-making weeks, but he usually stayed in the RB2/flex range.
Dobbins worked as Denver’s lead runner through Week 10. He averaged 15.3 carries per game over that stretch, compared with just 5.0 carries per game for RJ Harvey in games they played together.
He also controlled goal-line work before getting hurt, handling seven carries inside the 5-yard line through Week 10 to Harvey’s three.
Dobbins ceded the receiving work to Harvey, averaging just 1.4 targets per game. Harvey drew 2.9 per game with Dobbins active.
Dobbins ranked RB23 in PPR points per game through Week 10 but just RB31 in expected points per game, so the workload made him relevant without making him a locked-in fantasy starter.
Dobbins’ rushing efficiency was excellent.
Among 51 RBs with 90+ carries, he ranked:
That efficiency kept Dobbins in the early-down role. He averaged 5.0 yards per carry, produced 161 rush yards over expected, and ranked ninth among RBs in total rush yards over expected despite playing only 10 games.
His rushing profile also looks much better than Harvey’s. Harvey ranked 42nd in yards per carry, 48th in RYOE per attempt, 43rd in yards after contact per attempt, and 46th in PFF rushing grade among the same group of qualifiers.
The receiving profile was the opposite. Among 105 qualifying backs, Dobbins ranked 96th in yards per route run and 97th in PFF pass-route grade while catching just 11 passes for 3.4 yards per reception.
So the split is clear: Dobbins was Denver’s best runner, while Harvey was the better passing-game back.
Denver’s offense gave Dobbins a mixed setup.
The Broncos played fast, ranking third in plays per game. That helped create enough total volume for two RBs to have roles. But Denver leaned pass, ranking ninth in pass rate and ranked just 19th in rush rate (41.2) and 20th in rushing attempts per game (26.4).
That environment is better for Harvey’s receiving role than Dobbins’ rushing role. Denver targeted RBs at the fourth-highest rate in the league, but Dobbins captured very little of that work.
Dobbins made this offense work through efficiency and goal-line usage, but the scheme still makes it hard for him to pile up PPR points without more receiving work.
Dobbins played only 10 games last year because a Lisfranc (foot) injury ended his season.
The Broncos did activate Dobbins’ 21-day practice window on Jan. 19, but he did not play in the AFC Championship game.
Dobbins has missed 54 games over his five-year career, all due to knee, foot, and ankle issues.
The Broncos don't appear overly concerned. They gave Dobbins $8 million guaranteed to return, and he's expected to be healthy for training camp and the season.
Dobbins should open 2026 as Denver’s lead runner if healthy but will likely cede the change of pace and receiving role to Harvey.
Last year’s usage strongly suggests Dobbins will remain the lead runner. He handled 15.3 carries per game through Week 10, led Harvey in carries inside the 5-yard line, and crushed Harvey in nearly every rushing-efficiency metric.
This still doesn’t project as a workhorse role. Harvey already averaged 2.9 targets per game with Dobbins active, and he proved capable of handling a much larger role when Dobbins missed time.
The Broncos also added fourth-round rookie Jonah Coleman, who could work his way into snaps.
QB Bo Nix ranked just 25th among qualifiers in average depth of target, and Denver targeted RBs at the league’s fourth-highest rate. That helps Denver’s backs in the passing game, with Harvey better positioned than Dobbins to cash in.
The offense also added Jaylen Waddle to WR Courtland Sutton and TE Evan Engram giving Denver solid options at every level.
Payton has consistently built fantasy-friendly offenses throughout his coaching career, including in Denver.
Payton has shifted the Broncos toward a faster, pass-leaning offense over the last three seasons:
Even with Dobbins healthy through the first 10 weeks, Denver still leaned pass-heavy:
Payton’s history suggests Denver could continue trending further toward the pass and a faster pace in 2026.
Dobbins has a pretty low ceiling this season. He should be the lead runner for the Broncos backfield, but will split snaps with RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman. If he maintains his early down and goal-line role, that can provide enough for Dobbins to keep his RB2 status, even without strong receiving production.
Dobbins averaged 15.3 carries per game, led Harvey in carries inside the 5-yard line, and backed it up with strong rushing efficiency. His two-year, $16 million contract also points to Denver keeping him in that lead early-down role.
Dobbins’ RB23 performance in PPR points per game outperformed his RB31 rank in expected points per game. He ranked fourth among RBs in rushing yards over expected per attempt as well, signaling that Dobbins played legitimately well. But producing above expectation leaves room for 2026 regression.
Even if Dobbins maintains last year's role, there's not much upside thanks to his crowded backfield.
Dobbins’ risk lies in his lack of receiving and expanded committee.
He caught just 11 passes for 37 yards and no TDs last year. His receiving profile was poor by every measure, including 0.32 yards per route run (96th among RBs) and a 46.6 PFF receiving grade (97th).
Harvey gives Denver a clear passing-down alternative after ranking eighth among RBs in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Among 40 RBs with 30+ targets, he also ranked 12th in yards per route run and sixth in targets per route run.
Coleman profiles as a between-the-tackles runner in the Dobbins mold. If he shows enough to earn snaps, they’ll likely come at Dobbins’ expense more than Harvey’s.
Durability remains a risk after Dobbins missed seven games last year with a Lisfranc injury. He has missed 54 games over his five-year career, all due to knee, foot, or ankle issues. The Broncos signaled confidence with his contract, but the injury history still puts him at elevated risk.
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Jonah Coleman To IR With High-Ankle Sprain
Jonah Coleman To IR With High-Ankle Sprain
The Broncos placed RB Jonah Coleman on IR, knocking him out for the next 4 games. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Coleman suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 2 win over the Jaguars but is expected back when first eligible in Week 7. This injury frustratingly went unreported after last Sunday's game, and the severity went unreported until now. Coleman is worth keeping stashed on fantasy rosters if possible, but he won't have a chance to be a factor until the second half of the season. RBs J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey are safer short-term fantasy bets with Coleman out.
J.K. Dobbins & R.J. Harvey In, Jonah Coleman Out For Week 3
J.K. Dobbins & R.J. Harvey In, Jonah Coleman Out For Week 3
Broncos RBs J.K. Dobbins (hip) and R.J. Harvey (hamstring) are off the final injury report for Sunday night’s game vs. the Rams. Both guys were full participants in practice on Thursday and Friday. RB Jonah Coleman (ankle) has been ruled out, so this backfield should look similar in terms of workload split to Week 1, when Dobbins out-carried Harvey 8 to 3 but Harvey saw all 4 RB targets.
J.K. Dobbins & R.J. Harvey On Track To Play Week 3
J.K. Dobbins & R.J. Harvey On Track To Play Week 3
Broncos RBs J.K. Dobbins (hip) and R.J. Harvey (hamstring) were upgraded to full participants in Thursday's practice. RB Jonah Coleman (ankle) remained sidelined. It's looking like it'll be Dobbins and Harvey in Denver's backfield vs. the Rams this weekend. They'll both be in play as RB3 or flex options.
Jonah Coleman Hurt, Too
Jonah Coleman Hurt, Too
Add Jonah Coleman to the list of injured Broncos RBs. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Coleman sprained an ankle in the Week 2 win over the Jaguars. His status for Sunday's game vs. the Rams is uncertain. Meanwhile, RB R.J. Harvey is "making progress" with his hamstring injury, and the Broncos "received good news" on RB J.K. Dobbins' hamstring, according to Schefter. Dobbins is expected to practice this week, which seemingly puts him in line to play against the Rams. We'll see if this muddy backfield clears up at all over the next few days.
J.K. Dobbins Hurts Hamstring
J.K. Dobbins Hurts Hamstring
Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins suffered a hamstring injury in the second half Sunday's game vs. the Jaguars. He's officially questionable to return, but don't expect to see him back out there. With RB R.J. Harvey inactive with his own hamstring injury, Denver is down to RBs Jonah Coleman and Tyler Badie.
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