The Miami Dolphins do not seem to hold the same value for running backs as they do other positions but that shouldn’t be a long-term approach.
There is a pattern that has emerged over the last decade that really has defined the Dolphins’ mentality at the position. Is it a league-wide issue or do the Dolphins simply not value the position?
We can’t pick the brains of Brian Flores and Chris Grier but we do know that there has been a huge shift in the NFL when it comes to drafting running backs. Teams have drifted further away from featured runners to more of a committee approach.
If the free agency has taught us anything, it is that the NFL, leaguewide, doesn’t have a high value on the position anymore either. Players at the position are not getting paid what they used to on the open market and as a result, teams are keeping their RBs longer due to the reduced market value.
We don’t have to look far to see the Dolphins shift in focus at the position. Here is a look through the last ten years but pay particular attention to the last slide, you can skip through with the arrows at the top-right if you wish.