The Denver Broncos continue to reshape their identity ahead of the 2025 NFL season, and the latest addition to their 90-man offseason roster may be the most intriguing yet. With the signing of former Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins, the Broncos have injected speed, experience, and big-play potential into their backfield. The move not only enhances Denver’s rushing attack but also signals a clear intent from the front office and coaching staff: this team plans to be faster, tougher, and more dynamic than it has been in recent years.
J.K. Dobbins was once seen as the next great NFL running back after an electrifying collegiate career at Ohio State and a promising rookie season with the Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately, injuries derailed much of his progress, including a devastating torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2021 season and an Achilles injury early in the 2023 season. Despite these setbacks, Dobbins never stopped preparing for his return. Now fully recovered and reportedly looking explosive in workouts, the Broncos saw enough to bring him aboard and give him a chance to revitalize his career in orange and blue.
The Broncos’ decision to sign Dobbins is a calculated risk that could pay massive dividends. Denver’s offense struggled mightily in recent years with consistency and explosiveness on the ground. While Javonte Williams continues to be a powerful presence in the backfield, he has also battled injuries, and the team has lacked depth and breakaway speed. Dobbins provides that missing spark, a home-run threat on any given down. If he can remain healthy, he has the potential to become a key cog in Sean Payton’s evolving offensive machine.
Speaking of Payton, the head coach now has a new toy to experiment with. Known for his ability to maximize running backs in creative ways during his tenure in New Orleans, Payton’s offensive playbook has long benefited from dynamic rushers who can also catch passes out of the backfield. Think Alvin Kamara at his peak. Dobbins, when healthy, fits a similar mold. His ability to bounce runs outside, make defenders miss in space, and contribute in the passing game makes him a perfect fit for the Broncos’ current offensive vision. Training camp will be a critical proving ground, but it’s not hard to imagine Dobbins making an early impression and forcing his way into significant snaps by Week 1.
Dobbins’ arrival also adds pressure to the rest of Denver’s backfield, which includes Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, and undrafted rookie Blake Watson. The competition in the running backs room is now fiercer than ever. That’s a good thing for a franchise in the midst of a major transition. Internal competition breeds excellence, and every rep at camp will matter. If Dobbins flashes his old burst and elusiveness, the coaching staff may have no choice but to feature him more heavily than originally planned.
Beyond just the Dobbins signing, the Broncos’ updated 90-man offseason roster reflects a franchise trying to find its footing again. With Russell Wilson gone and the quarterback position in a state of flux, Denver is counting on a more balanced attack and a stronger supporting cast to carry the load. The front office added several players through the NFL Draft, including top pick Bo Nix, who is in a fierce battle for the starting quarterback job with Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. That quarterback trio, while still unproven, could benefit tremendously from a reliable and explosive running game—a role Dobbins is uniquely suited to fill.
Defensively, the Broncos made a concerted effort to get younger and faster. The team’s 90-man roster is filled with new faces in the secondary and linebacker corps, reflecting a desire to create more turnovers and play with increased physicality. But while those changes are essential, it’s the offense—particularly the backfield—that could ultimately determine Denver’s trajectory in 2025. Adding a player like Dobbins offers hope that the Broncos can return to the tough, hard-nosed identity that once made them perennial contenders.
Fans in Denver have been starving for a resurgence. The post-Peyton Manning era has been marked by instability at quarterback, missed playoff opportunities, and coaching turnover. Sean Payton was brought in to change that narrative, and his fingerprints are all over this 90-man roster. From selecting Nix as a potential franchise quarterback to adding a former star like Dobbins, Payton is clearly building a team in his vision—one that is balanced, smart, and prepared to compete in the brutally competitive AFC West.
The AFC West remains one of the NFL’s most daunting divisions, with Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs still looming large and the Chargers and Raiders each undergoing transitions of their own. For Denver to truly contend, it will take more than just improvement—it will take star power and game-breaking plays. That’s where Dobbins comes in. Few players on the current roster have the same potential to flip the field and change the course of a game. If he can tap into even a portion of the player he was in Baltimore before the injuries, Denver may have landed one of the offseason’s biggest steals.
Of course, all of this hinges on Dobbins staying healthy. His injury history cannot be ignored, and the Broncos’ medical staff will likely manage his workload carefully throughout camp and the preseason. The team may opt to ease him into action or deploy him in specific packages early on to mitigate risk. But even a limited version of Dobbins could elevate this offense in ways no other current back can. It’s a gamble—but one worth taking.
Dobbins’ addition also gives Denver valuable depth in a season that will require it. Injuries are inevitable over the course of a 17-game grind, and having multiple viable options in the backfield is a must. Dobbins gives the Broncos insurance. He also gives them versatility. Should the Broncos need to play up-tempo or spread the field, Dobbins has the skill set to be a mismatch against linebackers and safeties in space. His presence on the field, even as a decoy, could open things up for other weapons, including rookie wideout Troy Franklin and tight end Greg Dulcich.
This 90-man roster is still far from a finished product. Over the coming months, players will be waived, traded, or stashed on practice squads. Others will rise through the ranks with strong performances in camp and the preseason. But as it stands today, Denver’s roster has a different feel from the ones of recent years. It’s younger. It’s more athletic. It has a few more X-factors, and with Dobbins in the mix, there’s now an added element of excitement that’s been missing.
Training camp will reveal a lot. Whether Dobbins is just a feel-good story of a player attempting a comeback or a legitimate starting-caliber weapon will be determined on the practice fields of Dove Valley. But his presence alone has changed the tone of this offseason. He’s a known name. He’s a proven talent. And now, he’s a Bronco. For fans hoping to see their team return to relevance, that’s something to celebrate.
In the bigger picture, this signing is emblematic of what Denver hopes to become under Payton. Smart, aggressive, unafraid to take chances on talented players who may have something to prove. Dobbins fits that mold perfectly. And if he thrives in Denver, it won’t just be a win for the front office—it’ll be a spark for a fanbase that’s waited too long for their team to matter again in January.
The countdown to kickoff continues, and with each passing day, this 90-man roster will begin to take shape. There will be cuts, surprises, disappointments, and breakthroughs. But for now, Broncos Country can look at this roster—revamped and reloaded with the addition of J.K. Dobbins—and dream just a little bigger. Because if this team can stay healthy and play up to its potential, the climb back to contention might be closer than anyone expected.
