In the last of a three-part series, we look at running back draft options the Miami Dolphins could target during the 2022 NFL draft
The Miami Dolphins are in dire need of a running back and the team could find their answer at the position during the 2022 NFL Draft. Over the past few seasons, the team has been unable to find a consistent and dominant answer at the running back position and fails to support their young quarterback.
Miami Dolphins: Running back trade options to consider this offseason
The Miami Dolphins are in dire need of a running back upgrade and the team could look to trade for a one during the 2022 NFL offseason.
The question surrounds the team’s 2021 run game is a two-parter. The first is if it was the lack of talent at the position, or if it was due to the awful offensive line.
In reality, neither response is really wrong. The Dolphins lack game-changing talent at the running back position. Over the past three seasons, the ones that feature former head coach Brain Flores and current general manager Chris Grier, the team has failed to either sign an impact running back or draft one.
Once again let’s look at the names they’ve missed on. In the draft, the team has passed upon Jonathan Taylor, Najee Harris, Antonio Gibson, Clyde Edwards-Heliare, A.J. Dillion, De’Andre Swift, Javonte Williams, and more. In free agency, the team was spurned by Le’Veon Bell mid-season and by Aaron Jones this past offseason for less money to stay with the Green Bay Packers.
To say the team isn’t attempting to get a new running back could be an understatement, considering they chose Noah Igbinoghene over Taylor, Swift, and Edwards-Helaire with their last pick in the first round when they already had Byron Jones and Xavien Howard is nothing short of comedic. The team needs to land a running back that can make life easy for Tua Tagovailoa and take over a game on the ground.
Kenneth Walker III’s sensational season could entice the Miami Dolphins
Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker was arguably the best back in college football this season. He was the engine that led the Spartans to a complete turnaround season that ended with the team winning 10 games on the season.
After barely playing at Wake Forest, Walker transferred to Michigan State to play for Mel Tucker and it was a home run for both sides. In his first and only season with the Spartans, Walker totaled 263 carries for 1,636 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.
If you read my mock drafts I make it my priority to take Walker if he’s available, a formula the Miami Dolphins must follow as well. The team has failed to draft the top back, or one of the top backs, in previous draft classes, but that needs to change.
At 5-foot-10, 210 pounds, Walker is as big as Javonte Williams, a player the Dolphins sought in the 2020 draft. He showed speed with a long rush of 94 yards on the season.
The Dolphins need a game-changing running back and Walker could be the teams solution to their running back problem. His biggest question mark will be if he’s a one-year wonder, but it also means he does not have as much usage under his belt compared to other backs on this list.
Miami Dolphins could find consistency in Iowa State’s Breece Hall
Iowa State running back Breece Hall is the staple of consistency when it comes to the running back position. In the course of his college career with the Cyclones, Hall set the NCAA record with 24 straight games with rushing touchdowns. That’s a testament to Iowa State’s commitment to the run and Hall’s talent.
Aside from that record, Hall set a plethora of other rushing records during his college career. In the Big 12, Hall’s stamp on the record book includes being in the top 10 of rush attempts, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, plays from scrimmage, yards from scrimmage, touchdowns from scrimmage, and touchdowns
At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds Hall is a big back who has 5.5 yards per carry on his career. His junior season also included career highs in receiving yards and receptions, proving his worth as a serviceable pass catcher.
Hall would give the Dolphins a physical back that would be able to give the game yards on early downs and likely be a three-down back. Compared to Walker, Hall has a total of 718 carries in three years which could bring up questions on his durability at the next level. Then again, Jonathan Taylor carried the ball over 300 times multiple seasons at Wisconsin and is dominating in the NFL.
The once top ranked running back could allow the Miami Dolphins to move back in the second and still land an intriguing back
Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller is another player that has been consistent over the past few years having posted three straight 1,100+ scrimmage yard seasons. He’s been efficient as both a runner and a pass-catcher but has seen fewer catches over his last two seasons.
In his three years at Texas A&M, Spiller has seen at least 174 carries and 20 catches. He totaled 188 in 10 games during the 2020 COVID season.
At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Spiller is about the same size as Hall and he also averaged 5.5 yards per carry in his three-year career with the Aggies. However, Spiller had 541 carries in his career, which is 177 less than Hall.
Miami Dolphins: Free Agent running backs to target this offseason
The first of a three part series where we look at running backs that the Miami Dolphins could target in free agency, the NFL draft, or through trades.
Spiller had started the season as the likely top running back off the board, but spectacular seasons by both Walker and Hall lowered his ranking. However, he is a dynamic back which would be an upgrade for the Dolphins compared to any of the other running backs on the roster.
Of all three backs, Spiller had averaged 8.0 yards per catch for his career including a whopping 9.6 yards per catch average in 2020. The Dolphins will likely bring back Myles Gaskin, who is serviceable as a pass-catcher, making an interesting dynamic if they decide to go with Spiller.
Not being Georgia’s workhorse could hurt James Cook’s stock, but give him time to develop with the Miami Dolphins
The first three running backs on this list are all likely to be gone by the end of round 2 However, Georgia’s James Cook will likely be able for the Miami Dolphins come round 3 or 4.
After a tremendous showing during the College Football Playoffs against both Michigan and Alabama, Cook is bound to shoot up draft boards.
James Cook is a similar size to his older brother Dalvin, who is the starting running back for the Minnesota Vikings, when he declared for the draft out of Florida State. While James is not as elite as Dalvin, the two are exciting and dynamic players.
Essentially, James is Dalvin-lite. At 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, James is an inch taller but 20 pounds lighter than Dalvin when he came out. The two are both extremely dynamic football players, although Dalvin was the lead back every year he was at Tallahassee.
James Cook was never given the opportunity to be the lead back at Georgia, either playing behind De’Andre Swift or splitting carries with Zamir White. It’s possible the Cook could start his career splitting carries, but he should be able to carve out a role.
Compared to the other backs on this list, Cook was never the workhorse on his team so there are questions if he can take that role in the NFL. He is dynamic enough as a pass catcher and has shown he can produce on the ground, he’ll be a solid NFL running back.
Notre Dame’s Kyren Williams could be a third round target that becomes the Miami Dolphins 2022 lead back
The Notre Dame lead back over the past two seasons, Kyren Williams has rushed for 1,000 yards on 200+ carries over the past two years. Not only has he proven his worth as a rusher he was also able to haul in over 30+ catches for over 300+ yards.
Williams is an interesting prospect, at 5-foot-9, 199 pounds, he was the focal point for two Notre Dame teams that went a combined 21-and-4. In the team’s upset victory over Clemson without Trevor Lawrence in 2020, Williams had the best game of his career with 23 carries for 140 yards and 3 touchdowns. When the two teams faced off again in the ACC Championship game he was kept in check with 15 carries for 50 yards.
Williams doesn’t quite fall in the same tier as Walker, Hall, and Spiller, although he will likely go higher than Cook, it will be interesting to see how teams view the Fighting Irish back. He’s shown signs against good defenses but has also struggled against them. Although Notre Dame has not had an elite quarterback that scares teams, sorry Ian Book and Jack Coan, it does lead additional pressure onto the run game.
Williams will likely fall into the third round and if the Dolphins haven’t taken a running back by that point, he could be the team’s best choice.