Miami Dolphins Draft Preview: RB’s

Dec 22, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller (26) is tackled by the Buffalo Bills defense during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight at 8:00 Eastern you can listen in to Finsradio.net.  It will be all draft talk all night.  C.K. Parrot of Twitter fame will be joining us tonight to dig deep into the draft, in other words deeper than the first round.  You can listen to that show live by clicking here.  Then click the “On The FinSide” Episode, then play.  You can also call in and ask questions by dialing 714-333-3302.  Archives are available as is the free podcast download from iTunes.

The Dolphins need help on both sides of the ball and over the course of the next two and a half weeks I will be bringing you a look at the Dolphins draft needs and if applicable who the team may target and when they should target that player.  Today, I’ll take a look at RB’s.

Ball carriers used to be the bread and butter of the offensive draft.  The next in line to QB and sometimes before a QB.  That is no longer the case as more and more teams have switched to a running back by committee approach.  It’s rare to find an Adrian Peterson anymore.  This years draft is no different.  In fact, many mock experts are predicting that no RB will be taken in round one and the first may not come off the board until mid-round 2.

Leading this years draft class at the position is Ohio States Carlos Hyde and Auburn’s Tre Mason.

Dolphins need:  The Dolphins have signed Knowshown Moreno to a one year deal and still have Lamar Miller who needs a big season to stick around for another.  That being said the Dolphins are not high on their prospects including Mike Gillislee and the likely to be gone Daniel Thomas.  Simply put Miami isn’t all that impressed with what they have or they wouldn’t have gone after Moreno.  Some believe that Miller isn’t too far from being gone as well but they all believe his future hinges on this years play.

With Thomas likely a casualty to a bulky back-field filled by new GM Dennis Hickey, it’s possible and plausible to see Marcus Thigpen find himself looking for work sooner rather than later.  His work on the offense has been spotty and his work on special teams isn’t eliciting rave reviews.  Cameron Marshall is the only other rostered tailback at the moment.

The Dolphins, I can’t honestly believe, will go runner in round one and frankly I find it hard to believe round two is the spot for any back for the team with other needs but the team could easily pull the trigger on a player in rounds 3-5 and the 5th round could be the best spot for the team.  The team could take a look at James Wilder, Jr. who may slide considerably after an arrest recently in Tampa.  The arrest was on a warrant for driving without a license with knowledge.  The Dolphins could take a look at a few other backs as well.

The Dolphins have been playing their visits pretty tightly and it’s unknown at this time what direction the teams vision is for this draft.  What we do think we know is that Miami is looking to improve their future at the position and that leaves the draft to do so.

Prediction:  I easily see Miami drafting a RB in this years draft but I foresee that being in the middle to late rounds simply due to more important needs.  You could have Adrian Peterson running the ball and with this line it wouldn’t make much difference.