5 free agents the Miami Dolphins should take a long look at
By Matt Serniak
The Dolphins learned the hard way that scrapping the bargain bin for running backs isn’t always the best solution. Perhaps that works for other teams, but this is the Dolphins we’re talking about here. They don’t, usually, skate by using their wits. Finding that diamond in the rough is something that hardly ever happens here. That’s why acquiring an established free agent running back should be the way to go.
I’m also all for drafting a running back on day 2 of the draft. Get a young thoroughbred in there that can balance out a Leonard Fournette. I’d also like to see Duke Johnson and or Phillip Lindsay kept here as well. You really cannot have to many quality running backs or any position for that matter.
Playoff Lenny has been fantastic since getting to Tampa Bay in 2020. He was also pretty good in Jacksonville. Maybe not #4 overall pick good, but he’s a quality running back that does a ton of dirty work while adding a touch of elegance(receiving the ball( as well.
In 2020, after signing with the Bucs, he had only 367 yards on 97 carries. But it was the playoffs that the Bucs, intelligently, unleashed Playoff Lenny. He had 300 yards rushing on 64 carries and was very important churning out first down as Tampa Bay made their way to hoisting a Lombardi.
This past year Fournette had 812 yards on 180 carries with eight TDs. He missed a few games but nothing major. He played in the playoffs.
It’s his receiving ability that was impressive to watch grow. He caught 76 balls in 2019 for the Jaguars but nobody took much note of that. It wasn’t until he had Tom Brady throwing him the ball that folks really started to think that Fournette was an all-around back. He had 69 receptions last year and really filled that James White role that Brady craves.
It’s that type of production, along with the fact that he’s 27 years old, and runs downhill between the tackles why I want the Dolphin to specifically target him. He will keep drives alive and can be a competent outlet for dump-off passes.