Miami's running game

Miami's running backs finished 29th last year in YPC average. That's not the type of statistic that helps a developing QB. Miami was around 1/2 yard shy of the league average in YPC per attempt. Depending how Miami chooses to run the offense the big issue Miami may face is running the ball to close out a game. I'm not sure if the addition of Doakes will be enough for Miami to force its will upon opposing teams defenses when it's needed. If Miami still has the same offensive struggles as last year it will be another indication of Grier's inability to read the draft and the teams needs.

I firmly believe that the Phins WANTED a RB, and even heard rumors that Grier tried to trade up (maybe for a RB) but was denied.

At this point, they went with Holland at #36 with Williams off the board (And they may not have wanted Williams anyway...), And lets hope Holland is exactly what the Flores defense needs.

What tells you that Grier and co didn't think they needed a RB was not going for one at #81. Maybe it was a value versus pick thing and none of the RBs were worth the #81, but...

Why they decided not to use #156 for RB.....  I agree with JMP though, the talent after #81ish - #100ish could be categorized as DAY 3 talent. So at #156, the player you could get was not much better than a 7th rounder? Thus Gerrid Doaks.

The Phins won 10 games last year behind a new O-line with journeyman type RBs... and a late round RB and and UFA RB saved the season. So is it any wonder the Phins did not invest a high draft pick in a RB?

I just wonder if we are going to see a trade for a RB at the start of the season? Or maybe they scan the practice squads or the cuts and pick up one?

If the Line is improved, Gaskins and Ahmed and maybe Doaks should be okay. They just need to stay healthy.  I would love to see a three down power back with speed, but...

You don't get them too often in the 7th round.  

The plan is for the speed of Fuller and Waddle to open up space for the running game. Which makes sense, because last year opposing defenses could crowd the box since they had no fear of a deep threat. Now the Dolphins have two legit deep threats. Having those two receivers, plus two pass-catching TEs, also opens up possibilities for the RPO.

We've also added a big, physical, bruiser in Malcolm Brown for short-yardage and goal-line situations.

I would also add that the YPC average last year is a little misleading, as both Gaskin and Ahmed averaged over 4 yards per carry. I also expect the playcalling to be a lot different than what we saw last year.

I think the running game will be fine - maybe not great, but I don't think it will be a liability like it was last year.

Gaskin has some potential - assuming, again, that the OL and playcalling improve, and defenses can't stack the box. He made some big plays and broke a lot of tackles, and his numbers were better than some of the RBs we were all pounding the table for in the 2020 draft. If he had been able to play the full season, we're likely talking about a 1000 yard rusher. He looks like an ascending player. He's also an excellent blocker, which is a huge plus.

Let's hope Doaks is able to assume some of the rushing duties. Gaskin and Ahmed are sorta smallish. There is a reason the average RB career in the NFL is two and half years approx.

finfanatic wrote:Let's hope Doaks is able to assume some of the rushing duties. Gaskin and Ahmed are sorta smallish. There is a reason the average RB career in the NFL is two and half years approx.

IMO Ahmed will have a tough time sticking on the final roster. While he did display some nice running, he was absolutely dreadful in pass protection. He's a liability as a blocker. I think Brown will likely be the #2 back behind Gaskin, with Ahmed, Laird and Doaks fighting for a #3 role.

I understand the goal is to prevent crowding the box since we drafted and signed 2 speed receivers but speed receivers don't tend to factor at 4th and 1 or short goal line situations not to mention trying to run out the clock. Will Doaks be able to do it? Gaskin wasn't able.

CarsonChris wrote:I understand the goal is to prevent crowding the box since we drafted and signed 2 speed receivers but speed receivers don't tend to factor at 4th and 1 or short goal line situations not to mention trying to run out the clock. Will Doaks be able to do it? Gaskin wasn't able.

That's why we signed Brown - he's a beast.  He's here as a backup, 4th quarter hammer, and more importantly a short yardage specialist. Whether or not that plan works, we'll see - but I think that is the hope.

I always seem to forget about Malcolm Brown. He has hung on in the league since 2015 as a UFA, so he must be doing
something okay. Maybe he will become this year's Gaskin or Ahmed?

I still think it is possible they add an aging Veteran RB, or maybe trade for a RB.

finfanatic wrote:I always seem to forget about Malcolm Brown.  He has hung on in the league since 2015 as a UFA, so he must be doing
something okay. Maybe he will become this year's Gaskin or Ahmed?

I still think it is possible they add an aging Veteran RB, or maybe trade for a RB.

It is possible that they add another RB, but my guess is Gaskin is the starter. Brown will be the #2 and short-yardage guy. Doaks, Ahmed and Laird will compete for probably 2 roster spots. Cethan Carter is the FB.

If I had to guess, Ahmed is the odd man out because he can't block. IMO Laird has the edge over him because he is a do-it-all Rex Burkhead-type, that also plays special teams.

I still think Doaks is the sleeper. If he is healthy, he could play a big role.

Addressing a need just for the sake of addressing a need isn't the answer either. I understand people frustrated that we didn't get one of the top 3 backs but after that it was rather pointless to take a back early because it's a need. Some Fin fans are upset that we didn't draft Kenneth Gainwell or someone like Chuba Hubbard? Both could end up being good NFL backs but neither fixes the issues we have with our run game. Would we be happy taking Gainwell over Eichenberg? A lot of fans wanted just that.

Gaskins is fine when healthy and that was an issue last year. Brown should help in short yardage situations where Gaskins struggles. What will help the running game more than anything is the young lineman we have progress and get better. Same with Tua and the passing game.

I want to point out that I'm not saying that I like Gaskins as our top back, I prefer him as the #2 guy in the rotation. But until the right guy comes along he will be good enough.

Killah Sith wrote:Would we be happy taking Gainwell over Eichenberg?

No I wanted Teven Jenkins instead of Holland.

But with Moehrig having the medical concern, I can see why Grier/Flores did it.

And then, they saw the Bears jump of Jenkins and knew at least the Jags were going for an OT, so they had to trade up to get Eichenberg.

That why you pile up draft picks so you can move around when you need to.

We shall have to wait and see how these picks turn out.

Look at these draft 1st round picks from 2018 who have had their 5th year options declined:
Players whose fifth-year options were declined
QB Josh Rosen, 49ers (released) - He had a 1st and 2nd rounder spent on him. You see why the draft is not rocket science?
RB Rashaad Penny, Seahawks - Injury bug.
RB Sony Michel, Patriots -
TE Hayden Hurst, Falcons - Just never got any better.
C Billy Price, Bengals -
DT Taven Bryan, Jaguars - Big DT but he is not worth that 5th year money IMO.
LB Leighton Vander Esch, Cowboys -
LB Rashaan Evans, Titans -
CB Mike Hughes, Vikings -
S Terrell Edmunds, Steelers -

The draft is fraught with peril. Choose wisely.

finfanatic wrote:

Killah Sith wrote:Would we be happy taking Gainwell over Eichenberg?

No I wanted Teven Jenkins instead of Holland.  

I was hoping for him there as well at the time. He too would have been a good pick.

Moving up for Eichenburg appears to have been a solid move. Started a run on OTs and we got ahead of that run.

Yeah. The Bengals for sure were going to go OT after passing on Sewell.

I've seen a couple of people compare Eichenberg to former Patriot lineman Matt Light. Sign me up for that right now!

posting this hear as its relevant to the thread title...

Kerryon Johnson is now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. The running back was claimed off waivers from Detroit last week by the Eagles, but they weren’t the only team who tried to pick up Johnson.

Per Field Yates of ESPN, the Miami Dolphins also placed a waiver claim on Johnson when the Lions parted ways with the fourth-year back. The Eagles had a higher waiver claim order based on the finish of the 2020 season. Philadelphia finished 4-11-1 while Miami narrowly missed the postseason with a 10-6 finish.

https://sports.yahoo.com/report-dolphins-put-waiver-claim-135116121.html

an indication they are not done with the RBs and maybe looking for a late veteran FA addition?

Yeah, I expect them to add at least one more RB. A Vet who can run and catch would be very nice. There are some big names out there (Bell, Gore, Yeldon) and some young Depth RBs. Nobody that makes me say "Yeah! We need that guy!!!"

mercury22nathan wrote:posting this hear as its relevant to the thread title...

Kerryon Johnson is now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. The running back was claimed off waivers from Detroit last week by the Eagles, but they weren’t the only team who tried to pick up Johnson.

Per Field Yates of ESPN, the Miami Dolphins also placed a waiver claim on Johnson when the Lions parted ways with the fourth-year back. The Eagles had a higher waiver claim order based on the finish of the 2020 season. Philadelphia finished 4-11-1 while Miami narrowly missed the postseason with a 10-6 finish.

https://sports.yahoo.com/report-dolphins-put-waiver-claim-135116121.html

an indication they are not done with the RBs and maybe looking for a late veteran FA addition?

My guess is it was simply an opportunity to grab an experienced young back that suddenly became available. I doubt they're actively looking to add a back, but if the right opportunity arises they'll look into it.

Brian Hill was someone who was out there who I thought would be a decent add for rotational depth but he signed elsewhere. If the Fins do add another back it'll most likely be a guy who gets cut like Johnson.

What about Duke Johnson? 27 yrs old. The Texans let him go tho, so...

Duke Johnson is a very good receiver but offers very little as a runner. Love me some Canes, but I don't see a place for him on the Dolphin roster.

Henry (2nd Rd 45th pick)
Cook (2nd Rd 41st Pick)
Chubb (2nd Rd 35th pick)
Jones (5th Rd 182nd pick)
Taylor (2nd Rd 41st pick)
Robinson (UDFA)
McCaffrey (1st RD 8th pick)
Sanders (2nd Rd 51st pick)
Mixon (2nd Rd 48th pick)
Montgomery (3rd Rd 73rd pick)

This is last years top ten. McCaffrey is the only first rounder. The consensus seems to be that you dont need a 1st round running back to be a good back. Although in Hindsight you could have drafted Henry in the 1st.

If you look at the next 10 the draft position will be even lower. I think the Dolphins realized that with better up front blocking and better playmakers on the outside the running game will right itself. I like the thinking. On paper it should free it up.

That list shows me that GMs don't value RBs, nor can they evaluate them at all.

In a passing league your priority probably isn't a RB. As a matter of fact, I think nowadays it seems that Kickers and Punters are given the same priority as running backs. Guys like Dion Lewis, Darren Sproles, and James White all seem to epitomize what running backs in this league are typically asked to do. Granted these guys aren't bell cows but the fact of the matter is simple. Running backs can be found anywhere, any round, and asked to do more in the passing game. If you look at the top 10 Running backs of my previous post. Can you identify one of those backs whose been to a Super Bowl in the last 3 or 4 years?