J.K. Dobbins vs Justin Herbert

“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.”

“Justin Herbert (LAC) Over the first three years of his NFL career, Justin Herbert averaged 287.5 passing yards and 1.9 TD passes per game.”

“With a healthier OL in 2026, Herbert can flirt with elite fantasy QB status. Five games with Joe Alt in 2025: Hebert averaged nearly 24 PPG (23.9). Twelve games without Alt? 16.2 PPG.”

“The only other top-24 picks to match their ADP in overall finish were Prescott, Justin Herbert , Goff, Nix, Love, and Allen.”

“Even so, Johnston remains attached to an ascending offense with Justin Herbert and should maintain a full-time role entering 2026.”

“In superflex, those same cutoffs jump significantly, to Justin Herbert and Dak Prescott for a true QB1, since a real starter is required rather than a streaming option.”

“Justin Herbert leads the NFL in yards per scramble (9.4) over the past two seasons. 80 scrambles for 750 rushing yards.”

“And it’s not even the biggest difference in this group — that honor goes to Justin Herbert , which you already know if you took my advice in the intro and read my previous ESPN values article .”

“Justin Herbert over Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes is expected to age well, but Kansas City’s offense hasn’t looked like it did earlier in his career, ranking 22nd in yards per play over the last two seasons. Herbert’s overall trajectory is viewed as pointing up.”

“Herbert went through the wringer in 2025. Rashawn Slater missed the entire season. Joe Alt only appeared in six games. He closed out the year with a broken left hand, finishing with a career-high 54 sacks. That was the third-most sacks taken in the league behind Cam Ward (55) and Geno Smith (55).”

“Justin Herbert has an ADP of QB9 and is going in the back half of the seventh round. Herbert was the QB10 last season despite playing behind a shabby, injury-riddled offensive line that allowed him to be sacked 54 times. His offensive line should be healthier and better, and the arrival of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel could help unlock the sort of big passing numbers that Herbert produced in his first three seasons.”

“Justin Herbert, predictably, played much better with Alt on the field last year. His EPA per dropback with Alt on the field would have been the highest among qualified quarterbacks last year if he had produced it over the entire season.”

“Justin Herbert rebounded last year from a down 2024 season, finishing as the QB10 overall in '25. He was used as a rusher frequently last season, posting a career-high 498 rushing yards.”