Who Should I Start? J.K. Dobbins or Khalil Shakir

Friday, March 27, 5:49 AM

Running back J.K. Dobbins recently agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal to return to a Denver Broncos team that he led in rushing in 2025 despite missing the final seven games of the season. Denver had made upgrading the position a public priority before essentially returning the same unit from last year. With the Broncos picking comfortably outside of the range to add an impact rookie like Jeremiyah Love, the team looks to be heading into 2026 with Dobbins, RJ Harvey, and Jaleel McLaughlin again topping the depth chart. Dobbins was easily the most effective runner of that group in 2025, averaging nearly a yard and a half more per carry than Harvey, and pacing toward 1,300 rushing yards before his Week 10 foot injury. Denver returns all five starters from an offensive line that has regularly been considered among the best in the league, and they made a splash by trading for former Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle, a move that should elevate the entire offense.