May 27, 2026, 5:45 PM ET

J.K. Dobbins secured a two-year, $16 million contract with the Broncos in March. That provides the 27-year-old Dobbins with a navigable path toward reclaiming the early-down role that he seized during 2025. All concerns surrounding Dobbins' track record of health issues are justified. However, he is positioned to operate as the lead back in Sean Payton's offense while he remains unencumbered by injuries. Dobbins performed effectively in that role last season, while finishing among the top five in attempts (153/15.3 per game) and rushing yards (772/77.2 per game) from Weeks 1-10. He was also eighth among backs with 100+ carries in missed tackles forced per attempt (0.20) per Fantasy Points Data. Dobbins also sustained a season-ending foot injury in Week 10, which halted his statistical momentum. RJ Harvey vaulted to ninth among backs in targets (29/4.1 per game) and receptions (22/3.1 per game), while tying for fifth in rushing touchdowns (five) during Dobbins' absence. However, Harvey failed to surpass 3.4 yards per attempt in five of his seven games during that sequence, and was 51st in efficiency (4.85) per Next Gen Stats. That reduces Harvey's prospects of securing an expanded workload as a rusher, but he should function as the backfield's primary pass-catcher. Fourth-round selection Jonah Coleman should also accumulate carries and targets as his rookie season progresses. That will not impact Dobbins' role as Denver's lead rusher, provided that he can avoid additional injuries. This supplies your incentive to pursue Dobbins near his Round 9 ADP in best-ball drafts (104/RB35) and his Round 10 ADP in dynasty startups (119/RB39).--Phil Clark