Five Miami Dolphins players who must step up in 2016
By Jason Clary
Jay Ajayi, Running Back
Miami’s fifth-round pick from 2015, Jay Ajayi, is heading into 2016 as the front-runner to be the starting running back.
Ajayi missed much of his rookie season with a rib injury, but came back in the last half of the season and played some quality snaps. Ajayi is an explosive runner who isn’t afraid to fight for yards.
Other than Ajayi (who is still an unknown), Miami drafted Kenyan Drake out of Alabama and signed former Houston Texans running back Arian Foster.
Drake is an explosive player who made an impact as a returner and on passing downs. Though explosive, he couldn’t avoid injuries during his collegiate career and also tweaked his hamstring during offseason practices.
Foster is a veteran running back who will be 30-years old by the time the season starts. After a brutal, season-ending Achilles injury last season, Foster spent yet another season rehabbing an injury. Despite the concerns, Foster is a better option than Daniel Thomas or Isaiah Pead.
Ajayi has the highest upside of the group, and after Lamar Miller’s departure to Houston, Ajayi will need to have a productive sophomore season.
Next: Mario Williams