Miami Dolphins running backs: Stay or Go
Adam Gase has stated how much he values versatility and favors a multi-headed running game to the single “bell cow” runner philosophy. With only one experienced back currently signed, the Dolphins need to address the running back position.
In the running back edition of “Stay or Go” series, we will discuss which running backs need to stay and go this offseason. Keep in mind that this article isn’t a prediction of which players will be kept but what the team should do. In the opinion of this author..
Stay
The emergence of Kenyan Drake was one of the few bright spots of the 2017 Dolphins season. Despite being used sparingly for the first eight games of the season, Drake still managed to lead the team in rushing with 644 yards (4.8 yards/carry) and 3 TDs while adding another 239 yards and a TD as a receiver. He is the exact type of running back that head coach Adam Gase covets and should be featured prominently again in 2018.
Despite limited production as a running back, Senorise Perry should also be brought back for another season in Miami. Perry was a key special teams contributor for the Dolphins; tying for second on the team with 9 tackles.
Go
It doesn’t really matter to me whether De’Veon Smith and Brandon Radcliff stay or go so, when given the choice of categories, they belong more in the “go” category.
If it’s assumed that Miami goes into 2018 with Drake as the starter and the team brings in another back (via free agency or the draft) then neither of these players will see much playing time. I expect that both players will fight it out for a spot on the 53 man roster and the other will land on the practice squad.
Lastly, that brings me to the final running back from 2017 that is currently a free agent, Damien Williams. While Williams was ‘serviceable’ as a 3rd down back last year, it’s expected that he will be seeking to improve on the 1yr/$1.797M he received last year as a restricted free agent. He is adept at catching passes but the Dolphins need to use his roster spot/cap hit to acquire a running back that can also provide value as a runner.
In the end, it seems pretty clear that Miami needs to add another runner to replace Williams.