Miami Dolphins: Breaking the Roster

The 2019 season was the worst in team history as far as Miami Dolphins running backs go. After trading away their best running back, Kenyan Drake, the run game never fully recovered. Drake had his inconsistencies but wasn’t a detriment to the team. His upside far outweighed whatever was going on behind the scenes. Ultimately the team decided to move on from Drake in a contract year and the ugliest run game in history was born.

2020 ought to be a better year for Miami as they have plenty of resources even to get a mid-tier running back until one emerges. Whether they build a better line in the draft to give running backs better gaps to run through, or they shuffled the deck and draft/sign one there’d better be a long term plan in place. Breaking down the running backs, here are the Dolphins’ best options.

Frank Gore

Gore isn’t the long term answer in Miami but he wants to come back to the Dolphins. At 36 years old, he’d more than likely get a team-friendly deal. A constant professional, Gore would be the same type of leader that could spark the energy on offense. Between he and Ryan Fitzpatrick you couldn’t ask for two better professional veterans to mentor young talent.

More Dolphins: Breaking the Roster – QBs

Kalen Ballage

Ballage looked like a deer in the headlights for the Dolphins this year. Early on he showed he could be ready to take the reigns and be the next running back to lead the team. That window closed quicker than the lanes he had to run through. Ballage shouldn’t be their lone running back, but with a revamped line the young back still has plenty of promise.

Mark Walton/Miles Gaskin

Lumping these two together makes more sense than separate. Between the two of them with limited carries, they were the bright spots on the rushing attack. Should the Dolphins choose to move on from Ballage after this past season, the duo would be a great pair to change up the speed of the rush attack. If Miami gives Ballage one more year, look for one of the two to be dropped.

A rookie running back

The Miami Dolphins have enough ammo to maneuver around the draft. If Brian Flores takes a page from the New England playbook, then getting a low cost rookie to head up the run game. Miami might go all in on say Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor with their second pick in the first round. He’s a low 1st round early second, but he can play in the pass game as well.

Miami won’t get by without a run game again next year. Building a line up front will get the ball rolling, but they’ll need a playmaker as well.