The Miami Dolphins opted for continuity at running back over a major change for a bell-cow back this offseason.
Four tailbacks from last year’s roster were free agents of some kind. Four are returning as members of the 2023 Dolphins.
Such running backs like the Raiders’ Josh Jacobs, Giants’ Saquon Barkley and Cowboys’ Tony Pollard were placed on the franchise tag with their teams, so they were erased as offseason options for Miami. The Dolphins then passed on free agents like Miles Sanders (from Philadelphia to Carolina), David Montgomery (Chicago to Detroit) and Jamaal Williams (Detroit to New Orleans).
With four running backs brought back — Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin — it seems like that’s the group the team is rolling with, instead of looking into a possible offseason trade with the Titans for Derrick Henry or Vikings to produce a Dalvin Cook homecoming.
The Dolphins could still look to add a running back in the NFL draft. With greater immediate needs to fill on Day 2, when they have a second- and third-round pick, it’s possible they just find an under-the-radar tailback with their sixth- or seventh-round selections — or find a gem among undrafted prospects.
A look at Miami’s returning running back depth starts with the tandem that should lead the way again, like it did in the second half of 2022: Mostert and Wilson. Both were brought back on team-friendly deals, and both have familiarity with the wide-zone scheme dating back to time together with coach Mike McDaniel with the 49ers.
Mostert is coming off a career-high 891 yards rushing and averaged 4.9 yards per carry in 2022. Turning 31 on Sunday and always carrying injury concern, McDaniel will likely have to manage his workload once again to conserve him for a full season and playoff push.
A known speedster at 5 foot 10, 205 pounds, Mostert also flashed some power-running ability in his first year in Miami. He also cracked 200 receiving yards for the first time in his career and hauled in a career-high 31 receptions, adding that element to his game.
The power game is more of what Wilson is known to do with his 6-foot, 213-pound frame. He too averaged 4.9 yards per carry in 2022 in time split between the 49ers and Dolphins — 4.7 while with Miami. Wilson provided a spark to the running game once he became part of the backfield duo with Mostert instead of Chase Edmonds the first half of last season. Edmonds was sent to the Denver Broncos in the trade for Bradley Chubb.
Before reaching deals with Mostert and Wilson on the same day, March 14, the Dolphins re-signed Salvon Ahmed as he was bound for restricted free agency. Like Mostert and Wilson, Ahmed has a past with McDaniel in San Francisco, but it was much more brief as a member of the roster in training camp 2020 before landing in Miami.
He and Gaskin were once the Dolphins’ 1-2 punch at running back, back in 2020, but now they are relegated to No. 3 and 4 tailback options. Gaskin is coming off a season-ending shoulder procedure that put him on injured reserve late last season.
Both made the active roster in training camp competition last year, beating out free-agent signing Sony Michel. The two will once again have to earn their spots with some new competition that is likely to be brought in within the coming months.
Previously addressed
Dolphins quarterback breakdown: Mike White, Skylar Thompson to compete behind Tua Tagovailoa
