J.K. Dobbins fantasy outlook: Should you draft Chargers RB in 2024?

J.K. Dobbins will be looking to bounce back in fantasy football after another injury-plagued season last year. He has appeared in just nine games across the past three seasons, since his promising rookie campaign in 2020.

He is joining a new team for the first time in 2024, so will have new opportunities this year. Here's where his fantasy outlook currently stands.

Should you draft Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins in 2024?

J.K. Dobbins (image credit: Getty)

J.K. Dobbins has spent his entire NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens, but injuries have prevented him from completing one full season for a long time.

His last full season came all the way back in 2020, during his rookie year, and he has appeared in just nine games since then. He now joins the Los Angeles Chargers, where he will look to get things back on track.

Dobbins will be competing with a familiar teammate for backfield touches, as Gus Edwards also made the move from the Ravens to the Chargers. Dobbins has elite talent, as demonstrated by his RB21 finish in 15 games as a rookie. So, if he can stay healthy, he is an excellent late-round flier in fantasy drafts.

J.K. Dobbins 2024 fantasy outlook, ADP and 2023 stats

Dobbins appeared in just one game for the Ravens in 2023, totaling 10 touches for 37 yards and a touchdown, before suffering a season-ending injury. In his only full season, as a rookie in 2020, he totaled 152 touches for 925 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns.

This demonstrates that his 2024 fantasy outlook includes upside, but his extensive injury history makes him extremely risky.

He currently ranks as the RB43 and 130th overall player in fantasy drafts this year, according to his current ADP. Dobbins profiles as a bench piece in the late rounds, but has the potential to far exceed his expectations if he can stay healthy and carve out a large enough role in the Chargers' offense.

Is J.K. Dobbins a good pick in fantasy football this year?

While his injury history makes him extremely difficult to trust in fantasy football, J.K. Dobbins is a valuable player to target in the late rounds of drafts this year. Not many players beyond the 10th round have elite upside, so the risk may be worth taking a shot on.

Another benefit to gambling on Dobbins is that he will be playing for new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who often uses a run-heavy style of offense. His favorable system for running backs makes Dobbins an even more intriguing pick this year, especially at his currently low ADP.

Where should you draft J.K. Dobbins this year?

Who Should I Draft

His current ADP suggests that Dobbins can be targeted in the 13th round of most fantasy drafts. He profiles as a late-round flier who can initially be used as a depth piece on benches, But he has the potential to emerge as a useful player during the 2024 fantasy football season.

Sportskeeda's Who Should I Draft tool recommends selecting Dobbins in favor of many other late-round running backs with some significant obstacles of their own. This includes Dameon Pierce, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Alexander Mattison.

All of them will also likely begin the year as back-ups for their NFL teams, but Dobbins is the most likely to emerge as a potential starter.