There has been a growing sense in recent years that running backs don’t hold as much value and teams shouldn’t invest much in them — but don’t tell Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins that.
The 2020 NFL Draft prospect believes the position definitely still holds value, and he pointed to the Tennessee Titans as an example of why that’s true.
Of course, we’ve seen running backs get big money over the years and not live up to the contract, but there are certainly exceptions to the rule, and Derrick Henry and the Titans are the most recent example.
Tennessee was able to make it all the way to the AFC Championship Game because of Henry, who carried the Titans on his back through the first two rounds of the playoffs with a combined total of 377 yards on the ground.
And in those games against the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens, Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw for just 160 yards total, although he did make some big plays along the way when needed to.
The way the Titans were able to win playoff games flew in the face of everything we’re told about today’s NFL, where it’s thought that if a team can’t put up gaudy passing numbers it can’t go far.
Granted, Tennessee’s run was halted by a pass-heavy team in the Kansas City Chiefs, but it was still impressive to see a run-first approach dominate the way Tennessee’s did.
With the Titans looking for a running back this offseason whether or not Henry returns, Dobbins could be an option for them, either in the first or second round.
Because of an ankle injury he suffered during the Buckeyes’ loss to Clemson, Dobbins decided to sit out the on-field workout at the combine. He’s expected to be at Ohio State’s pro day on March 25, though.
