J.K. Dobbins needs to take over as Ravens lead running back immediately

J.K. Dobbins is clearly the best running back on the Baltimore Ravens.

The Baltimore Ravens own a respectable 5-2 record as they enter their Week 9 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts. But at the same time, there is concern about this team, most of that stemming from an offense that has taken a step back in comparison to their dominant run last season.

Many people have placed the blame on quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has regressed from his MVP form of a year ago. The offensive line hasn’t helped either, struggling to regain the same form amid departures and injuries. They’ve been saved by an elite defense but the Ravens clearly have to figure out the offense if they want to turn things around.

Rookie J.K. Dobbins may hold some of the answers. Despite being a second-round pick, Baltimore has remained steadfast in using a committee approach out of the backfield. When Mark Ingram is healthy, he’s still the lead back. Even with him being banged up recently, though, Dobbins has split carries with Gus Edwards.

That’s a fine approach if the offense was operating as it was last season — but it’s not. And it’s becoming increasingly frustrating that Dobbins isn’t getting the lead work in the backfield for the simple fact that he is clearly the best player of the group right now.

The Ravens offense is being held back with J.K. Dobbins not leading the way.

J.K. Dobbins is out-performing the rest of the Baltimore running backs in a major way. He has just 40 carries on the season but has rushed for 267 yards and two scores. He’s just 38 yards behind Edwards on 24 fewer carries and has 42 yards more than Ingram on 10 fewer carries. For good measure, Dobbins also has 82 yards on 12 receptions this season.

The Ohio State product isn’t just playing better than his teammates when he gets the ball — though that is the more pressing matter — but he’s actually performing better than much of the league. According to PFF College on Twitter, Dobbins ranks first in the NFL in yards per carry (6.7) and first in yards after contact per carry (4.2).

It’s becoming increasingly asinine of John Harbaugh and Greg Roman to not allow Dobbins to take the lead reps out of the backfield. Whether you look at the box score or just use the eye test, the rookie is the most explosive, most effective and best running back on the roster right now.

Jackson playing better down the second half of the season would undoubtedly help the Ravens offense take a step forward that they need to. At the same time, giving Dobbins the lion’s share of the running back work could have an equal effect, not only strengthening their bread-and-butter rushing attack but open up the rest of the field for Jackson and the passing game more often.