J.K. Dobbins, Broncos Reportedly Set Visit in NFL FA After 1 Season with Chargers

Free-agent running back J.K. Dobbins could be considering joining Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Dobbins is traveling to Denver on Wednesday for dinner with Broncos coaches and a tour of the team facility the next day.

After rehabbing from a torn Achilles suffered in 2023, Dobbins signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers last April.

He posted 905 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 13 regular-season games during the 2024 campaign.

After losing last season's leading rusher, Javonte Williams, to the Dallas Cowboys in free agency, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estimé led the Broncos' depth chart heading into the 2025 draft.

That was a thin depth chart, especially for Payton, who was seen writing "Run it!!!" on his call sheet during the Chargers' Week 17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

The franchise then selected former UCF running back RJ Harvey in the second round, setting him on track to enter training camp as Denver's projected RB1.

Signing Dobbins would likely impact how many touches Harvey can expect to get in his rookie season.

On the other hand, Harvey picking up some of the workload might help the Broncos keep Dobbins healthy if they decide to sign him.

Dobbins, who missed the 2021 season with a torn ACL and recovered only to tear his Achilles during the Baltimore Ravens' 2023 season opener, returned in time to open the 2024 season with the Chargers.

The running back suffered a left knee MCL sprain in Week 12 that sidelined him for four games but returned for the final two contests of the regular season as well as the Chargers' Wild Card Round loss to the Houston Texans.

That injury history might explain why Dobbins is still available despite posting the most productive season of his career in 2024.

The Chargers used an unrestricted free agent tender on Dobbins in April, per ESPN. The tender means the Chargers will get a compensatory pick if Dobbins signs elsewhere before July 22 and hold exclusive negotiating rights if he does not.