Miami Dolphins fantasy football preview: Backfield
As a precursor to the season opener, most Dolphin fans will find themselves preparing and participating in a fantasy football draft.
Every fan likes to think that they have the inside scoop on their team and potential fantasy football sleepers. Let’s look at the potential in Miami’s backfield for the 2018 fantasy season.
QB: Ryan Tannehill
Don’t expect Ryan to go off the boards in the early/mid rounds. Even for the Tannehill lovers in Miami (myself included), never reach for a player you can get in the later rounds. Ryan could see potential value in the fact that the Dolphins no longer have the safety switch Laundry. Look for Miami to throw the ball downfield with speeders joining the roster and the YPC anchor Jarvis leaving.
Average Draft Position Low: n/a High: n/a
When to snag him: Round 14
RB: Frank Gore
Father Time Gore looks to finish his career in the city of his alma mater. He will lose upside if you are not in a PPR league, as his highest position in standard is 11.03. Frank is not a sexy pick with Drake sharing carries and being a solid receiver. Look to see where Miami goes with goal line carries and if Gore finally slows to his age. There is considerable risk to this pick as we don’t know what the Dolphins plan with him at this point.
Average Draft Position Low: 15.11 High: 9.08
When to snag him: Round 13
RB: Kenyan Drake.
Kenyon stepped up big time when Miami traded Jay to Philly. His New England prime time performance will forever highlight a disappointing 2017 season. He has the speed and receiving skills to be an elite back in the league. A simple google search will show the tier of performance he maintained at the end of the season and it was on par with the best. However, Miami brought in a vet in Frank Gore and a big bodied rookie Ballage. If his goal line carries get diminished to the committee, Drake will lose a lot of value. Look for Drake to have immense value if he dominates the backfield playing time.
Average Draft Position Low: 3.02 High: 5.10
When to snag him: Round 4. However, if Drake dominates goal line share he warrants a third-round or late second-round snag.
RB: Kalen Ballage
The underperforming rookie from Arizona State has every physical tool to be a goal line robber. His potential this year may be contained to just that. I would like to see Miami develop Ballage to be Gore’s replacement next year and the offset to Drakes dangerous speed. This year don’t look to see Kalen have any sort of fantasy value unless the injury bug bites or he uses that body of his to crash goal lines. Even the optimistic views don’t warrant a draft day pick.
Average Draft Position: Low n/a High: n/a
When to snag him: Look for Kalen to be a waiver wire add on if the situation warrants. Don’t draft him.
The average draft position stats was used from fantasyfootballcalculator.com