Miami Dolphins: Pre-draft look at the team’s running back roster
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins didn’t do much in free agency to get their running back roster better and fans are hoping the draft will provide options.
The Dolphins currently have six running backs on their roster including last year’s starters Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed. Both showed value to the Dolphins and should be back for another season. Miami also added Malcolm Brown to the roster in free agency.
Miami’s roster will likely consist of four or five running backs depending on how they break it all down and list their players. Malcolm Perry is listed, for example, as both a running back and a wide receiver.
The Dolphins also need to figure out what they will do with Patrick Laird. Laird has shown value, especially in the passing game but it is not clear if his future with the Dolphins is secure. Especially if the Dolphins draft a running back early.
This year’s running back crop is a good one with Najee Harris and Travis Etienne leading the way but many believe that Javonte Williams will be better than Etienne and are hoping Miami will take him in the 2nd round.
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Adding a running back is going to bring very good competition to the running back unit and it will be interesting who ends up looking for a new team. The addition of Lynn Bowden, Jr. also makes for an interesting dilemma as well. He is very similar to Perry in that he can be a dual-threat but how many utility players do the Dolphins need?
Miami should go after a running back but I wouldn’t be 100% sure that they actually will until maybe the middle rounds. The Dolphins have used mid-round running backs since Lamar Miller was drafted and it seems they are not looking to add a top runner early. That being said, the Dolphins were looking to add Aaron Jones this past free agency period so maybe they are looking to finally get a front-line running back who can be the feature of the offense.