Miami Dolphins Training Camp Preview: RB’s

Many believe that the Miami Dolphins need a better running option despite the fact that Lamar Miller ran for over 1,000 yards last season. He is simply one of the members of the running back group who will be dissected throughout training camp.

More from Dolphins News

• 4 offensive tackles Miami Dolphins could draft at 51
• Miami Dolphins don’t need CB help but these 5 could be available at 51
• 4 players that could replace Wilkins if Miami Dolphins don’t re-sign him
• Miami Dolphins have a starting point with Wilkins after Simmons deal
• The Miami Dolphins should not take a running back in the draft

With camp only weeks away now, instead of months, the Dolphins are prepping internally for the start of the season while the players enjoy the last few weeks of their vacation. With a revamped offense that has seen many changes at wide-receiver and a new addition at tight end, the Dolphins are hoping that Miller can replicate his performance last year when the Dolphins were not hitting on all cylinders.

As of today the Dolphins will enter camp with five running backs and will likely only keep three maybe four. It’s going to be a tough situation for some young talent to prove they have what the Dolphins are looking for.

Lamar Miller

Miller ran for over 1,000 yards in his third season. His production elevated after free agent pick-up Knowshon Moreno went down with a knee injury. Miller will enter the season almost entirely uncontested for the starting job. As a player, Miller has grown over his first three seasons and has shown consistency out of the tailback position. Unfortunately Miller has yet to show he can be a reliable option in the passing game and he needs to work on his blitz pick-up.

Jay Ajayi

A lot of excitement has built up over the Dolphins 5th round pick. Ajayi was a standout at Boise State where he rushed for well over 1,000 yards his last two collegiate seasons. Ajayi however suffers from a previous knee injury and that made a lot of teams skeptical about drafting him. Predicted to be a second to third round back, Ajayi slipped due to the injury concerns. Ajayi has great field of vision and is explosive to the hole. In Miami he doesn’t look to make a huge impact on the roster early but the Dolphins will get him the reps to be ready as games progress. Ajayi is a very good prospect who should have no trouble making the roster barring another injury and he should be able to take over the number two role for the Dolphins by the start of the season.

LaMichael James

James is likely a bubble player but to his credit he can return kicks and the Dolphins would like to limit the return touches for Jarvis Landry, despite Landry wanting more opportunities. James has yet to display what he can do on the field when he is handed the ball. Too inconsistent in San Francisco and eventually becoming an afterthought, James has a chance to make the Dolphins roster. It won’t be easy as the Dolphins need someone reliable but as a running back he may find the 3rd team unit his destiny.

Mike Gillislee

One of the few remaining Jeff Ireland picks, Gillislee was highly touted out of college but he has yet to demonstrate any ability to get on the field. This could be his final chance to show the Dolphins coaching staff that he can carry the load. He will need to fight with Jay Ajayi for playing time early through camp and pre-season but the Dolphins are aware that he has the talent to be something much better than a bench player or a part-time contributor.

Damien Williams

Williams showed a lot of potential in spot duty last year and there is no reason to believe the un-drafted runner can’t show more of what he can do in year two. For Jay Ajayi this may be his biggest challenge for playing time on Sundays. Williams, while not explosive, is a direct North and South runner who doesn’t hesitate behind the line of scrimmage. He is also used in the passing game albeit sparingly. In his rookie season he was targeted 27 times and caught 21 passes for 127 yards. He needs to work on the after catch yardage as he is only averaging 8.1 yards per catch.  Williams isn’t likely to make an impact in the rushing game barring injury but should be able to show enough to make the roster without any problem.

PREDICTION

Lamar Miller and Jay Ajayi are locks to make the team, again injuries aside. Both players should throughout the season make big impacts on the Dolphins offense. Miller sooner and Ajayi later. The Dolphins would be wise to keep the workload of Ajayi light to start the season thus keeping his legs fresh for the 2nd half of the year. Miami can rely on a Miller/Williams combination until they are certain that Ajayi can contribute. While Williams is by no means a lock to make the team, he has a better chance than LaMichael James and especially Mike Gillislee. If the Dolphins keep four runners then I believe James has a good shot given his special teams play. I also believe that this is the final camp for Gillislee unless he explodes once the pads come on.