Why J.K. Dobbins Wont Return to the Broncos

In a seven-round mock draft published on Wednesday, the Denver Broncos drafted a running back in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. That is the last starter round, which is the first three rounds of the draft. J.K. Dobbins, though, was hurt in Week 10 and isn’t likely to return to the Broncos in 2026, although he is No. 8 in rushing yards and was No. 7 in rushing yards per game. Here’s why.

Too Expensive

Dobbins, 27, signed with the Broncos on a one-year, $5.25 million contract in June. That is after the draft, implying he had few suitors. Dobbins is a two-down grinder, though. He totaled 153 carries for 772 yards (five yards per carry) and four touchdowns, while totaling 11 receptions on 14 targets for 37 scoreless yards. All told, Dobbins totaled 164 touches for 809 scrimmage yards.

While Dobbins’ five yards per carry is eye-popping, so is his $5.25 million contract. That’s too expensive. It’s the same annual salary as running backs Jordan Mason and Najee Harris. And more than Jahmyr Gibbs(!) and Omarion Hampton on their rookie contracts. Yes, Gibbs and Hampton are on-cost-effective contracts. But this is why the Broncos won’t re-sign Dobbins. Segue complete.

The Broncos will draft a running back in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. No. 96, the Broncos’ current draft slot in the third round, in the 2025 NFL Draft’s contract totaled roughly $6.2 million. That’s roughly $1.55 million a year. That’s for a running back with no injuries. Even if Dobbins takes a pay cut, it won’t be for less than $2 million. If it is, welcome back.

That said, the Broncos’ offensive line is No. 2 in PFSN’s Offensive Line Impact Score. So, the offensive line is optimal for any running back. In other words, Dobbins is replaceable. Whereas a rookie will ascend in Year 2 in 2027, Dobbins may be out of gas by then if brought back in 2026 and run into the ground. Let’s not re-sign the latter, but say we did.

A 2020 second-round pick, Dobbins played for the Baltimore Ravens for the first four seasons of his career. He played for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024. In that season, Dobbins carried the ball 195 times for a career-best 905 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games. He totaled 32 receptions for 153 yards as well. Dobbins, who suffered a season-ending injury in the 2023 season, was the runner-up for 2024 Comeback Player of the Year.