Finding a mid-round running back important for the Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins are thin at running back and hoping that an AAF cast-off will do the trick with depth isn’t smart. The mid-rounds of the draft will be.

Over the last several years the Miami Dolphins have found plenty of success with mid-round runners. Unlike the 2nd round selection of Daniel Thomas, which they traded up for, the 4th and 5th rounds have provided far better outcomes.

Since that 2011 draft bust featuring a failed trade up for Thomas, the Dolphins have found more production even with the trades.

In 2012 the Dolphins took Lamar Miller in the 4th round. Miller had a very good career with the Dolphins and many fans were surprised that the Dolphins opted to let him leave via free agency rather than re-sign him when his rookie contract was up.

Since leaving Miami, Miller’s career has been about average so his best seasons were with Miami. It wasn’t a bad move to let him go even in hindsight.

Miami drafted Mike Gillislee in 2013. The 5th round pick never really got off and running so to speak but he was never really given a chance to show what he could do. He bounced around the AFC East ultimately landing in New England but again, he didn’t take off.

Miami took 2014 off from the draft and running backs but in 2015 they got a steal in Jay Ajayi during round five. Ayayi put together not one, not two, but three 200 yard games in one season. Ajayi however didn’t mesh with the Adam Gase philosophy and rumors swirled of arguments in the halls of the training facility. Gase moved Ajayi to the Eagles.

With the Eagles, Ajayi won a Super Bowl but by then he was relegated to a support role. Many cited his ego as an issue in Philadelphia as well. Still, for the short time he was with Miami, he played very well.

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2016 nabbed the highest running back drafted since Thomas. Kenyan Drake was taken in round three and remains the teams starter. In 2018, Gase opted to use veteran Frank Gore instead of Drake. With Drake’s reduced role many speculated he too would be moved out but Chris Grier and Brian Flores apparently believe his still the guy they need. Thus far the Dolphins have not really focused on the position in 2019 leaving Drake to compete with Kalen Ballage.

Ballage was another mid-round gem, or at least appears to be. He played well down the stretch in 2019 as he filled in for Gore after the vet was placed on IR. Ballage was taken round four the 2018 draft and he and Drake will share the majority of the workload this year.

So who is next?

The Dolphins are going to have to address the position in the draft and the mid-rounds seem to offer the most value for the Dolphins. Three running backs are currently on the roster with Drake and Ballage being joined by Kenneth Farrow formerly of the Allegiance of American Football league.

While Miami could and likely will tap into the undrafted free agency pool at the position and look at the street free agency list after the draft, the draft itself holds the best options.

In this years draft, several players are potential targets for the Dolphins at the position.

Miles Sanders – Penn State

Sanders ran a 4.49 40 at the combine and his combine itself impressed. Sanders worked behind Saquon Barkely at Penn State before taking over the role last year for the Nittany Lions. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry and had nine touchdowns to go with 1,274 yards on the season.

Sanders is projected as a 3rd round runner so he may not be on the Dolphins immediate radar but if he falls into round four, the Dolphins may jump.

Damien Harris – Alabama

You have to like the fact he comes from a big school and a powerhouse. Well coached by Nick Saban, Harris is, like Sanders, a third round prospect but could dip into the late 3rd early 4th. A solid running back with great vision and solid 40 times, Harris is impressive.

What benefits him the most is that he is well-rounded. A solid runner with good hands that can catch the ball out of the backfield.

Mike Weber – Ohio State

One of the weapons for Ohio State, he had a solid combine. At OSU he posted decent numbers on a team that had a lot of weapons. He is a 3-4 round projected prospect that could end up being a steal in the mid-rounds. He would offer immediate depth and would have time to hone his skills behind Drake and Ballage.

Myles Gaskin – Washington

Projected to be a 4-6 round prospect, Gaskin could develop in the right system. He has a good skill set but didn’t have a stellar combine. In 2018 his production dipped from the year before. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry in 2017 but only 4.9 in 2018.

Still he put up good numbers in 2018. He posted 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns to go along with 21 receptions which makes him at least versatile. It will be his blocking ability however that needs to be worked on.