The Baltimore Ravens didn't begin the 2020 NFL Draft with a need at running back, but that didn't prevent them from taking one on Friday. Following day two of the NFL Draft, Ravens GM Eric DeCosta spoke out on drafting J.K. Dobbins.
“We didn't really expect [Dobbins to be available there], I don't think anybody really did,” DeCosta said, via ESPN's Jamison Hensley. “But we just had to take him. He's just a talented guy. It just made too much sense for us not to take him.”
Most people believed that Dobbins was going to be a running back that was taken late in the first round or early in the second round. However, there were four running backs taken ahead of Dobbins, making him available at No. 55, when the Ravens were on the clock.
Prior to selecting Dobbins, Baltimore was already loaded at running back with Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill in the backfield. Therefore, there was no need for the Ravens to take Dobbins. But when a player as talented as Dobbins falls in the draft, you take him regardless of the team's needs.
While Dobbins may have been a peculiar pick to some, the Ravens could be looking to the future. Ingram, who turns 31 years old later this year, has a potential out in his contract after the 2020 season and Edwards is a restricted free agent next offseason.
Over the years, Baltimore has prided themselves on being a team that makes a concerted effort to draft well. While the selection of Dobbins caused some fans to scratch their heads, DeCosta realizes that the opportunity to select him was too rich to pass up.
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