Miami Dolphins Meet With RB Tre Mason
Jan 6, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Tre Mason (21) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of the 2014 BCS National Championship game against the Florida State Seminoles at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Dolphins are in need of a running back to pair with RB Lamar Miller and have recently met with my second overall back in this year’s class, former Auburn Tiger, Tre Mason.
(I understand meeting with a player typically does not mean much, but it does show that this team does have an interest in upgrading at the position with a high pick)
Tre Mason rushed for 1,816 yards last year with the tigers on 317 carries (5.7 yards per carry) and 23 touchdowns on the ground. To put that in perspective for you, that’s almost 400 more yards on the ground than the Dolphins were able to muster up last season as a whole TEAM!
Mason is one of the more talented 3-down backs in this year’s class. What that means is that Mason can do it all. He can run the ball, catch the ball, and pass protect.
According to Erik Frenz of Bleacher Report, Tre Mason ran a 4.5 second 40-yard dash at the combine yesterday, but was hoping to run in the 4.3 range.
Does this hurt his stock?
No. Mason is not much of a “speed” back like a Chris Johnson, but more of a total package such as a Doug Martin. At 5’8″ 207lbs., he may be the perfect back for Miami’s zone blocking scheme if offensive coordinator Bill Lazor insists on instilling that same scheme this season.
Mason still has the ability to add some bulk to his frame, while maintaining his ability as a runner. As stated above, he is not a pure speed back. Mason comes from a ground-and-pound style collegiate offense, which has tailored him for the bumps and bruises he will likely receive during his time in the league as a pro.
Mason, who could warrant a mid-second round pick, would be a solid player to toss into Miami’s clustered back field filled with under-achievers.
The only question here is the wear and tear on his body. Mason received 516 carries over the course of three seasons with the Tigers. That number could concern some teams, unless they look at it as more of an experience attribute than a possible durability concern.
Keep an eye on Mason as the draft begins to inch closer and closer.