Dolphins final 53: predicting the running backs

The Miami Dolphins allowed running back Lamar Miller to leave in free agency. They failed to sign a name in that same period and instead, turned to the draft for their backfield.

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There will be a lot of eyes on the running back unit this training season and pre-season. With Miller gone, the load of work will fall on the shoulders of Jay Ajayi but Ajayi has not had a full season of health for two years now.

Behind Ajayi is a group of relatively unproven and inexperienced runners that will not make the Dolphins unit one of the best on paper heading into training camp. As we continue our look at the final 53 man roster, we break down the running backs.

Jay Ajayi is a lock to make the team provided he can stay healthy. And the Dolphins need him to. Without Ajayi the backfield gets a lot more muddled.

The Dolphins will head into camp carrying five at the position and it’s entirely possible that they add a runner from the street once camp arrives. Part of that reason is the lack of experience within the group.

Daniel Thomas has the most NFL experience on the team as he heads into his 5th season. His five previous seasons have not been all that good and he lingered in Miami for a season or two too long. The Dolphins drafted Thomas in the 2011 draft. Then GM Jeff Ireland traded into the second round to get him.

Thomas’ time in Miami was extremely inconsistent but he continued to do enough to keep his job. Thomas sat out the 2015 season after failing to make the Chicago Bears offense, under Adam Gase.

After Thomas Isaiah Pead is the next running back with the most experience with four seasons under his belt. Pead, like Thomas isn’t anything special but he has shown that he is capable of being a back-up and providing depth. Something the Dolphins need.

With Jay Ajayi locking down one of likely four running back positions and rookie Kenyan Drake locking down another the battle for the final one or two spots will come down to Damien Williams, Thomas, and Pead.

I believe the Dolphins will carry four running backs because the depth at the position isn’t very good and the team needs to find someone who can spell Ajayi or replace him if he is injured. Many believe that Drake is capable but he was the back-up at Alabama and while he has a lot of the tools teams want in a running back, his inexperience isn’t going to provide the Dolphins a solid runner should Ajayi get hurt. Not yet.

Of the two remaining I believe the real competition comes down to Damien Williams and Isaiah Pead for one of the two remaining spots. The last spot I believe will be taken by a running back not yet on the roster.

In the end, Pead may move ahead of Williams. This training camp is crucial for Williams who spent much of the OTA’s and mini-camp riding a bike rehabbing.

53 man roster:

Spots taken: 4

Spots total thus far: 6

Players:

Jay Ajayi

Kenyan Drake

Isaiah Pead

Player to be named later – Arian Foster

UPDATE: The Dolphins signed Arian Foster on Monday.