What could KC Chiefs fans expect from a JK Dobbins signing?

It feels safe to say that nothing has gone according to plan for J.K. Dobbins at the professional level.

After putting together a truly historic campaign at Ohio State, including the school's lone 2,000-yard rushing performance, Dobbins entered the NFL as the second-round choice of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2020 NFL Draft (yes, the Clyde Edwards-Helaire class). From there, however, Dobbins has become known more for potential than production as injuries have wrecked his first few seasons in the league.

After the Chiefs hosted Dobbins for a visit earlier in free agency, he remains a free agent although reports say his visit was "productive". According to Nate Taylor of The Athletic, it sounded like both parties left the door open. Perhaps one or both sides wanted to see how the draft played out.

In order to get a read on what a Dobbins signing might bring, we wanted to find out more about the Ravens' efforts to bring him back, the progress in Dobbins' latest round of rehab, and any expectations going forward. For some answers, we spoke to Ravens writer Mike Luciano of Ebony Bird to tell us more about all of this as well as his potential market.

Did the Ravens make any sort of attempt to keep Dobbins for the 2024 campaign?

The Ravens tried to re-sign Dobbins, even going so far as to say publically that they wanted him and Gus Edwards back. Then Derrick Henry came into the picture and sacrifices needed to be made. I'm not totally sure a return hasn't been ruled out.

Obviously health is the big concern. What reports have you heard on this side of the Achilles injury?

The same doctor who did the Achilles surgeries for Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins worked with Dobbins and cleared him to return to football activities. With how much of his game is predicated on speed and quick cuts, getting the approval from the doctors as free agency started was massive.

When healthy, what does Dobbins bring to the table out of the backfield?

Dobbins definitely benefitted from a very good offensive line and Lamar Jackson at the QB spot, but no other RB the Ravens had showed off his level of speed and home-run hitting ability. If you take his last 18 games, he's run for 1,193 yards and 12 touchdowns on 5.7 yards per carry.

What sort of deal would you predict for him?

Gus Edwards signed with the Chargers for two years and $6 million, so the league doesn't seem to think highly of Ravens running backs. The Chiefs might be able to get him for cheap as an Isiah Pacheco stand-in as he tries to stay healthy.