Miami Dolphins fans want a running back but the team may not

Many Miami Dolphins fans want a running back to be drafted in round one or round two at the latest but does the team feel the same way? Maybe not.

Consider that the Dolphins didn’t break the bank in free agency on any player but they never really got into a big push for Aaron Jones and while they flirted with Chris Carson the only addition they really made was Malcolm Brown.

On the surface, it would be easy to believe that the reasoning was simple. The draft would provide better options to fill the holes in the backfield. Of course, it could also mean that Miami really doesn’t view their running back unit as badly as those on the outside.

The Dolphins saw decent production from Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin last year behind an offensive line that struggled with consistency and experience. The Dolphins didn’t see a need to replace Patrick Laird and they employ the versatile Malcolm Perry who can play both receiver and running back. Miami also added Jordan Scarlett in free agency.

You may be thinking that these players don’t add up to the talent of a Najee Harris or a Travie Etienne, or any other runner at the top of this draft class but the Dolphins may look at their roster as being one that can get better with better offensive line play.

We need to remember that Miami started three rookies last season. We also need to remember that there was no off-season and an abridged version of training camp. Add to that the fact that there was no pre-season, the first action any of these young linemen saw at this level came in week one.

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That should be enough to give them another season of work before we judge them.

So back to the point, if the Dolphins view their current group of runners as adequate and a group they can win with, will they go out and spend the 18th overall pick on Harris? Will they draft a runner at 36 or 50?

It is possible and could be the game plan. We simply don’t know. On the other hand, the Dolphins could be ready to do exactly what fans are hoping for, draft a top WR or Kyle Pitts at 6 and then take Harris at 18 and completely retool the offense. My problem with that is simple. Have the Dolphins ever done something like that?