Miami Dolphins value of running back position is different than fans
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins passed on Najee Harris and watched Javonte Williams slide out a pick before them in round two but do they value runners as fans want?
It’s hard to say that Miami doesn’t put enough emphasis on their running backs and while we can say that in one breath, we also heard rumors on Thursday that the Dolphins desperately tried to trade back into round one ahead of Pittsburgh to draft Harris.
On Friday, there was a lot of speculation that Miami wanted Javonte Willams but they didn’t appear to make any attempt to trade up the one spot they would have needed to in order to take him. Atlanta traded that pick to Denver and Denver made Williams the pick.
Maybe the Dolphins did try and it was too costly in their opinion. They didn’t view it too costly to trade up from 50 to draft Liam Eichenberg sending pick 50 and next year’s 3rd round pick to the Giants.
Miami isn’t one of those teams who view running backs as fans tend to view them. Lamar Miller, Jay Ajayi, Myles Gaskin, Kalen Ballage are all mid to late-round draft picks. Miami got their use out of them and moved on to the next one. Kenyan Drake is Miami’s highest draft runner, 3rd round in 2016 since Daniel Thomas was taken in round two during the 2011 draft.
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Miami staff just don’t seem to put the same value on the position. Harris could be a game-changing running back and likely will excel in Pittsburgh but the Dolphins view a standout edge rusher as more important in this division. They may have viewed Williams as a top running back but not enough to give up more draft capital, even a late-round pick when they would be just as happy nailing down a top safety prospect that will eventually lead to taking over for Eric Rowe or Bobby McCain.
The Dolphins Chris Grier was asked about missing out on a running back early and he simply said that they like their running back unit. Fans may not feel the same way but Myles Gaskin was good last year despite having a line consisting of three rookies. Salvon Ahmed stepped in and looked really good as well behind that same line. Add Malcolm Brown into the mix this year and Miami has a decent running back unit, they just don’t have that highlight reel player who will be an every-down back.
Miami seems to be fine with that, fans? Not so much. Fans want the flashy player with the big college stats but Miami has done well using mid-round runners that fit into their system.