Could Washington’s already crowded backfield be getting even more dangerous? ESPN’s Matt Bowen believes the Commanders might not be done adding firepower to help out rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels — and that includes bringing in a former 22-touchdown weapon.
Free agent running back J.K. Dobbins, who is coming off a career year with the Los Angeles Chargers, is being linked to Washington as a potential late-offseason signing. Dobbins, despite his injury history, remains one of the most intriguing backs left on the market — and could offer just the kind of depth Washington needs.
Would J.K. Dobbins Be a Fit in Washington?
Finding the right landing spot for a veteran RB in June isn’t easy, especially for one who’s dealt with as many injuries as Dobbins. But Bowen sees a perfect match in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.
He notes that Dobbins would provide “competition for Brian Robinson Jr. as the early-down runner,” adding that the former Charger still has the juice to generate big plays.
That “juice” translated to 905 rushing yards in just 13 games last season, tying a career high with nine touchdowns. He also ripped off 27 carries of 10+ yards and picked up 5+ yards on 31.3% of his touches.
Dobbins has never been a true bell-cow — and that’s not what the Commanders need him to be. With Robinson and Austin Ekeler already in the building, Washington is clearly embracing a committee backfield.
But both backs are on expiring deals, and both have struggled with durability. Dobbins, who turned 26 in December, fits the mold of a short-term insurance policy who can flash when healthy.
Injury Risk or High-Reward Addition?
Since entering the league as the 55th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Dobbins has appeared in just 37 regular-season games. That alone will give teams pause. But with a 5.2 career yards-per-carry average on 429 attempts, the upside is undeniable — especially in a role that doesn’t ask him to carry a full workload.
Dobbins’ lack of versatility (73 career targets) makes him a clunky fit for some systems, but Kingsbury’s run-focused spread could be just what he needs. Washington’s offense already features Daniels’ elite mobility, and adding a downhill runner with home-run potential only opens up more lanes.
If the Commanders do pull the trigger, the Dobbins-Ekeler-Robinson trio could be among the most explosive — and volatile — backfields in the NFL. For a team trying to build around a rookie quarterback, it’s a move that could pay off in a big way … or leave them scrambling once again.