The NFL season is right around the corner, and the abbreviated training camps are officially underway. The Miami Dolphins running backs were some of the worst in the league last year, but the Dolphins added a few big names to revamp the depth chart. Have they done enough, or does this group still leave something to be desired?
2020 Miami Dolphins Running Backs Preview
The Early Down Guy: Jordan Howard
The Dolphins went crazy in free agency, signing a bunch of players to massive paydays. Jordan Howard didn’t break the bank by any stretch of the imagination, but he received a solid raise to serve as Miami’s primary early-down back.
From a production standpoint, Howard is one of the most underrated pure runners in the league. As a rookie, the fifth-round pick ran for 1,313 yards and six touchdowns on 252 carries (5.2 YPC). While he never managed to match his rookie efficiency, he averaged over 1,000 rushing yards and nine touchdowns during his next two seasons with the Chicago Bears. He was on pace to do the same thing with the Philadelphia Eagles, but injuries cut his season short after just 10 games.
Howard doesn’t do anything in the passing game and is somewhat a product of his offensive line. However, he’s capable of following his blocks, breaking tackles, and finding the endzone. He’s a perfectly competent starter that should finish with more rushing yards than his quarterback.
The Pass-Catching Specialist: Matt Breida
Jordan Howard might be the safer running back, but Matt Breida offers more of a “wow” factor. One of the fastest players in the league, Breida is absolutely dangerous in space and has the ability to take it to the house whenever he gets the ball in space.
There is a good chance that Breida and Howard see the field at the same time. After Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns opted out, the Dolphins don’t have much depth at the wide receiver position. Multiple reports state that Breida is currently working out with the wide receivers, and he could easily wind up as Miami’s WR3.
The biggest issue with Brieda is helath. The former San Francisco 49er has never handled more than 179 touches in a single season, and he usually ends up hurt. In 2019, Breida battled injuries before eventually losing his role to Raheem Mostert. Breida recorded 13 starts in 2018, but left a few of those contests very early after re-aggravating an injury.
The Backup Battle
Howard and Brieda are the clear leaders of the Dolphins running backs, but the backup positions are completely up for grabs. Myles Gaskin and Patrick Laird appear to be the frontrunners for this job, as both players flashed moments of competence last season. As a rookie, Gaskin recorded 36 carries for 133 yards and one touchdown (3.7 YPC). This certainly isn’t anything to write home about, but it stands to reason that he can improve with another offseason under his belt and an improved offensive line.
Patrick Laird took a while to see the field, but proved to be a decent player in the passing game when given the opportunity. While his 2.7 yards-per-carry speak to his inability as a runner, he managed to make a few solid plays in the passing game. Christian McCaffrey he’s not, but he could serve as a valuable backup to Breida.
Kalen Ballage might just be the worst running back in football. Considered a breakout candidate by some, the former fourth-round pick was an absolute disaster in every aspect of the game. His 1.8 yards-per-carry was hilariously bad, and he was one of the worst receiving backs in the game. Whether it was bobbling clean passes or just ducking out of the way, he was an active liability every time he touched the ball. It’s hard to see him making the team this year.
The Miami Dolphins waited until the seventh round to add a rookie running back. A quarterback in college, Malcolm Perry most likely will have to play running back at the NFL level, although there are those who believe he could end up at wide receiver. Right now, he has something of a similar profile to Julian Edelman back in 2009. While he’s obviously facing long odds to have THAT type of a career, he could make his money on special teams while developing the finer nuances of the position.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
