49ers big board for 2020 NFL Draft: Bowl games edition
player. 812. . Running Back. Buckeyes . J.K. Dobbins. 8
Pros:
- Nice and physical, has good hitting power between the tackles
- Nice weapon as a receiver
- Used in a rotation in Ohio State, so he’s fairly fresh
- Not afraid to get hit, will get yards after contact
- Good feet and vision means he can use cuts and jukes to hit holes
Cons:
- Bit spotty as a pass blocker, although not a total liability
- Average athlete, but nothing special compared to other top running back prospects
One of the top running backs in the 2020 Draft class, J.K. Dobbins is a power running back who already has some experience in a rotation which could interest San Francisco.
Dobbins biggest advantage is he knows how to use his small-but-stout 5-foot-10, 217-pound frame to get maximum leverage and power. He doesn’t mind getting hit and will gain yards after contact.
He has good feet and reads plays well, so he’s able to find holes and use his feet to get through them quickly. He’s adept at finding the end zone, running for 20 touchdowns this season alone.
He’s also a decent weapon out of the backfield, with 17 catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns for the season. The 49ers spread the ball around when passing, so a running back that can be an effective receiver would be a huge plus.
Where Dobbins falls behind with the other top running back targets is his athleticism and his pass protection. He isn’t totally lost in these areas, but for teams that value these attributes they may not like him as much as other backs.
Draft range: First round
Right now, Dobbins looks to be the second best running back in the draft (more on that soon).
A powerful back who doesn’t have too much wear on his body thanks to the committee approach at Ohio State, Dobbins looks like a first-round selection for a team looking for a real bell-cow back.