J.K. Dobbins vs George Kittle

“Of all the Broncos running backs, I prefer J.K. Dobbins”

“I’m well aware of the Dobbins reputation at this point: he hasn’t played a full season in his career, and missed at least four games in each of the last five seasons. But, at some point, he is going to play a full seventeen games. And when he does, it will be incredible. Last season, he performed admirably in Sean Payton’s system, posting 15 carries for 77 yards per game (5.0 yards per attempt) while kicking in a catch per game, on just over 50% of snaps.”

“Before he was forced to the sidelines with an injury, Dobbins averaged 16 touches and 81 yards per game, as well as five yards per attempt, subverting what many thought would be an RJ Harvey takeover year.”

“Jonah Coleman will serve as the backup to J.K. Dobbins and step in as Denver's early-down ball carrier when Dobbins inevitably misses some time due to injury.”

“The team obviously values Dobbins, who has been excellent for the Broncos when on the field. Back in March, they extended him for two more years, guaranteeing him $8 million and including incentives that could push the contract's maximum value to $20 million.”

“Dobbins, when healthy, is one of the better backs in the league, but unfortunately, injuries continue to sideline ol' J.K. He missed seven games last season, four the year before that, and the entirety of both the 2023 and 2021 seasons.”

“Dobbins is coming back on a two-year $20 million contract.”

“Dobbins, though, might be the NFL's most injury-prone active player. The former Ravens second-round pick has missed a staggering 54 regular-season games in six seasons.”

“"You can't find many people with higher average [per carry] then me," Dobbins said of his injury history. "This is going to be the best year, all 17 [games]. I've had three major injuries, one took me two years to recover from and was one not a lot of people come back from."”

“Despite selecting running backs on the second day of the past two drafts, the Broncos and HC Sean Payton opted to bring back injury-prone RB J.K. Dobbins, who continues to dominate when healthy. "Dobbins was a priority, ahead of all others," Payton said.”

“Despite re-signing J.K. Dobbins and restricted free agent Jaleel McLaughlin and having spent a second-round pick on RJ Harvey last year, the Broncos are doing research on the draft's offerings at the position.”

“George Kittle (TE – SF) This is a short and sweet synopsis — George Kittle will be back on the field well before anticipated, after somehow rehabbing to be available for Week 1, despite tearing his Achilles during San Francisco’s Wild Card game on January 11th.”

“George Kittle (TE – SF) is up about eight spots as the market buys the injury discount. Kittle is working back from an Achilles tear and has set a goal of playing in San Francisco’s Week 1 opener in Australia.”

“George Kittle (TE – SF) The 49ers have activated George Kittle off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, and there’s a realistic chance he could play Week 1. Even if he does, I do worry about his effectiveness, especially early on.”

“He also has experience working with one of the NFL’s premier tight ends in George Kittle , as his tight ends coach, which can only benefit Barner’s development and usage. Barner put together an impressive 2025 season, finishing third on the Seahawks with 58 targets, just three shy of Cooper Kupp for second on the team.”

“Tight end George Kittle is attacking his Achilles rehab, and the preseason breakout of De’Zhaun Stribling is upon us; it gives Purdy an assortment of weapons to dominate every time he takes a snap.”

“It sounds like George Kittle could potentially be ready for Week 1. While I think it will be slow going, he will still have a role in this offense big enough that the 11th-round pick will provide some value.”

“Last year, Kittle was the TE2 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 14.7 PPR fantasy points per contest. Unfortunately, the 49ers are already dealing with injuries at the wide receiver position, which could lead to Kittle being the team’s top targeted player this season.”

“TE George Kittle is recovering from a torn Achilles and might not be ready for the start of the season.”

“There is also no denying that George Kittle is one of the best TEs in the league when healthy”

“George Kittle (TE – SF) There is no way around it, Achilles injuries can be a fantasy death sentence”

“Jake Tonges has proven he can be reliable in relief. In the five early-season games Kittle missed, Tonges ranked fourth in receptions and 10th in receiving yards per game while averaging 6.2 targets per game. Mike Evans is also now wearing a 49ers jersey and should eat into red-zone and end-zone usage, areas where he consistently ranked near the top of the league.”

“Kittle was productive again last year when he was available, averaging 5.2 receptions for 57.1 yards per game with 7 touchdowns. He posted 2.18 yards per route run, which ranked third among tight ends with 200-plus routes last year.”