Miami Dolphins: 3 potential breakout players on offense
![LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 26: Myles Gaskin #37 of the Miami Dolphins scores a touchdown in front of Trayvon Mullen #27 of the Las Vegas Raiders to take the lead in the fourth quarter of a game at Allegiant Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 26: Myles Gaskin #37 of the Miami Dolphins scores a touchdown in front of Trayvon Mullen #27 of the Las Vegas Raiders to take the lead in the fourth quarter of a game at Allegiant Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/c413e31dd7fba1aa0646ca831d4dde41b1d18b7e302615031d61bcbdeac26646.jpg)
Myles Gaskin:
The Miami Dolphins’ offensive weapon with perhaps the most breakout potential is third-year running back Myles Gaskin.
After starting last season in the middle of a crowded yet underwhelming backfield, Gaskin became Miami’s starting tailback by Week 3 and got the nod in seven of the last eight contests that he played in. An MCL injury forced him to miss a month of action, and COVID-19 protocols kept him out for an additional two contests, but Gaskin still led the team in rushing yards by a healthy margin and was the Dolphins’ third-leading receiver as well. For a seven-game stretch, Gaskin averaged 68 yards rushing and 38 yards receiving on an offense that struggled to put together any kind of solid running game.
There will be plenty more opportunities for Gaskin in 2021. Barring a revelation in training camp, he will enter the season as Miami’s bona fide Week 1 starter, and there should be a heavier emphasis on the running game in the Dolphins’ offense this coming season. The weapons that were added to the receiver corps should open up the field for the quarterback, which could in turn open up more lanes for Gaskin or even create more opportunities for receptions out of the backfield.
He amassed just five total touchdowns during the 2020 season, but look for that number to double in 2021. If he is able to remain relatively healthy and Miami’s offense is able to take a step forward this season, then there is no reason why Gaskin can’t be the Dolphins’ first 1,000 yard rusher since 2016.