If we told you ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft that the Miami Dolphins would not have drafted a youngster, the assumption would be that the team was poised to bring back the collection of backs who manned the position last year. But despite that being exactly what happened, we’d recommend betting on some major changeups. The Dolphins didn’t draft a running back but they did acquire veteran Matt Breida from the San Francisco 49ers — a deal that flipped a 5th-round pick on the NFL Draft’s third day. With that in mind, what will the Dolphins’ new-look backfield look like? There will be plenty of new faces — but who will they replace?
Status Quo
Fullback Chandler Cox
Cox was a selection by the Dolphins in 2019 and while the new offense in Miami isn’t necessarily going to command loads of reps for Cox, he’s almost assuredly going to maintain his role on the roster thanks to some versatility and ability to impact the passing game. His role may be diminished but this is the same regime that picked him in 2019’s final round. His ability to fill a niche should keep him in line.
Running back Patrick Laird
The man known as “the Intern” should make a strong push to stay on the roster and get the nod over fellow 2019 rookie Myles Gaskin. Why? Because Laird is better in the passing game and seemed to build up some trust with the coaching staff down the stretch last year. His pass catching resume in 2019 (23 receptions on just 290 snaps last year) is the big tiebreaker.
Out With The Old
RB Kalen Ballage
To be fair to Ballage, he didn’t get a lot of help from the offensive line in 2019. But Ballage also averaged 1.8 yards per carry and seemed to rub some the wrong way when he asserted he had “nothing to prove” last season despite ugly errors in the passing game and one of the most putrid stat lines from a per/touch production standpoint in recent memory.
RB Myles Gaskin
Gaskin was a 7th-round pick in 2019 but he’s been lapped by Patrick Laird among the 2019 rookie backs and the team’s addition of Matt Breida (who is a much more dynamic athlete) makes this a numbers game riddle that is unlikely in Gaskin’s favor.
In With The New
RB Jordan Howard
Howard signed a 2-year deal with nearly $10M and has two 1,000 yard seasons under his belt as a between the tackles runner in Chicago. He spent last season in Philadelphia and looked to have found his groove only to see his season ended via injury. He’ll be the new lead back in Miami.
RB Matt Breida
The lightning to Howard’s thunder, Breida’s electric skillset should give the Dolphins a dynamic they haven’t had in the backfield since Reggie Bush was a member of the team. The Dolphins will need to find the optimal role and reps to give Breida to make the most out of his touches.