Best 2021 NFL breakout candidate from every team

By Randy Gurzi | Jun 28, 2021

ASHBURN, VA - JUNE 02: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Washington Football Team hands the ball off to Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Football Team during the organized team activity at Inova Sports Performance Center on June 2, 2021 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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OWINGS MILLS, MD – JUNE 16: J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Baltimore Ravens catches a ball during mandatory minicamp at Under Armour Performance Center on June 16, 2021 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Ravens: J.K. Dobbins, Running Back

It really seemed unfair when the Baltimore Ravens added J.K. Dobbins last season. They already had a star running back in Mark Ingram, an under-appreciated workhorse in Gus Edwards, and a young prospect in Justice Hill.

Oh, and there’s also quarterback Lamar Jackson who won the NFL MVP Award the season prior when he ran for 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns on top of his 3,127 yards and 36 touchdowns through the air.

So with that all-star rushing attack already one of the most dominant in the league, Baltimore decided to get even more dangerous by taking Dobbins out of Ohio State. As a rookie, he primarily came off the bench as he had one start in 15 games but he proved he belonged.

Dobbins had 805 yards and nine touchdowns for the Ravens. They have since allowed Mark Ingram to leave but they did give Edwards an extension which means they expect to continue to have a running back by committee approach. In his second season, there’s no reason not to expect Dobbins to get even more touches — and he’s likely in line to be the starter as well.

Should that happen, he should cross the 1,000-yard mark and announce himself to the league as one of the better young runners in the game.

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