Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins doesn’t receive a vote for top-10 in the NFL

Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins is very confident in his own abilities.

That doesn’t mean the rest of the NFL agrees.

ESPN released its list of the top-10 RBs in the game on Monday and Dobbins didn’t crack the group — in fact he didn’t receive a single vote.

“Voters gave their own top 10 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on the number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen as well as ESPN Research. More than 70 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases all positions,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote.

It’s a surprising result considering Dobbins was fifth in the NFL in rushing yards when he got hurt with a Lisfranc injury and finished with 772 yards on the season. He averaged an impressive 5.0 yards per carry and the Broncos’ best back thinks he can lead the league in yards this season.

Bijan Robinson from the Falcons was No. 1, Jahmyr Gibbs with the Lions checked in at No. 2 and Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley rounded out the top-3. Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, Derrick Henry, James Cook III, De’Von Achane, Kenneth Walker III and Breece Hall closed out the top-10.

It’s wild that Josh Jacobs, Kyren Williams, Quinshon Judkinsm D’Andre Swift, Javonte Williams, Chase Brown, Ashton Jeanty, TreVeyon Henderson, Travis Etienne Jr. and Alvin Kamara all received a vote and Dobbins got exactly zero.

Will this be a chip on his shoulder? Perhaps. Dobbins has been very vocal about how the rest of NFL views him.

It’ll all come down to health in 2026 and if the Broncos can reach the mountaintop with Dobbins as a key piece. Winning a Super Bowl is how these narratives ultimately change.

To see ESPN’s full running back rankings entering this season, click here.