Fresh Perspective: Building the 2022 Miami Dolphins – Running Back

Now it’s time for the next installment of the Miami Dolphins offseason plan. With Mike McDaniel, a running game master, acting as the new head coach, this position becomes crucial. It’s time for the Dolphins to take a long, hard look at the running back position.

Free Agency

It’s very tempting to throw some big money at a running back this season, particularly with the likes of Melvin Gordon headlining free agency. However, aside from Gordon, there isn’t really a running back worth spending a large portion on. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t spend any money on this position. The Dolphins accidentally found excellent role players at the position, and they should bring them both back to compete if the price is reasonable.

Phillip Lindsay and Duke Johnson, signed off the streets after their respective teams opted to part ways with them, were both much better than the incumbent running backs in the room once they hit the field. Johnson, in particular, made Miami fall in love with him all over again. The former Hurricanes star has been made aware that the Dolphins would like to retain him if possible.

As for Lindsay, the former Pro Bowl running back ran for 1,000 yards in two straight seasons for the Denver Broncos in 2018-2019, but in 2020 his role was greatly diminished once Melvin Gordon signed his contract. But Lindsay still has something to offer, he’s a hard runner and a secure ball handler. He also made fans notice him this season making a fantastic block in the backfield to protect Tua Tagovailoa.

this is what I was talking about — Phillip Lindsay picks up Haason Reddick and cleans the pocket for Tua pic.twitter.com/oVkMcL634B

— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) November 28, 2021

Duke Johnson and Phillip Lindsay are perfect veterans for the running back room. They will compete with Myles Gaskin and Gerrid Doaks for spots on the roster.

There is also another free agent that makes a lot of sense for Miami. All one has to do is connect the dots, and the fit is beyond perfect. After bouncing from team to team for the first two years of his career – including a very brief stint in Miami – Raheem Mostert found a home in San Francisco in 2017, and he became a solid player thanks in large part to Mike McDaniel’s running system.

Mostert’s best season was in 2019, when he ran 137 times for 772 yards and eight touchdowns. That averages out to an excellent 5.6 yard per carry. Mostert boasts homerun level speed and great vision with the football. Were it not for injury problems in the past two seasons, Mostert very well could have been a star by now.

Mostert suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1 of the 2021 season. Now, he’s a free agent. He should be very interested in following McDaniel to Miami. With his injury history, Mostert won’t command a lot of money. Something along the lines of a 2-year, $6 million dollar deal should suffice.

Even with these deals in place, however, Miami isn’t done yet. Last season, the 49ers carried five running backs on their roster. If you count their usage of WR Deebo Samuel, you could argue six. So, time for the draft.

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NFL Draft

The Miami Dolphins must draft a running back in the early rounds. So many amazing running backs were found in the past few years.  Miami missed out on all of them due to a misguided sense of contentment in the players on the roster.

Not anymore.

First, a disclaimer. These picks are based off a mock draft done through The Draft Network’s mock draft machine. Naturally, once the combine goes by, projections are bound to change. So anyone who feels that a player won’t be available at a certain spot, keep in mind that selections were made based on who’s available at each pick.

So in this mock, the Miami Dolphins draft one of the most talented running backs in the class. With their second round pick, 50th overall, Miami selects Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III.

Remember when Kenneth Walker III scored 5 TDs vs Michigan 🤯#Spartans #MSU pic.twitter.com/vagJSjRblC

— Saturday Gameday (@SaturdayGameday) February 11, 2022

Walker is an all-around runner with the ball in his hands. His vision allows him to find the tiniest gaps and slip through for a positive gain. He doesn’t shy away from contact, in fact he runs like he wants to bowl people over. To top it all off, he has enough speed to run down the field for a long touchdown if he can get a full head of steam. As a rusher, he has everything a team could want in spades.

However, Walker isn’t a perfect prospect. His other skills need some development. Pass-blocking isn’t his specialty, and as a pass-catcher he was rarely asked to do anything. In three years at college – both at Wake Forest and Michigan State, he only had a total of 19 receptions for 136 yards and one touchdown. So for the time being, Walker’s role will be mainly as a rusher.

That said, this lack of versatility isn’t going to be a problem. Walker isn’t the only running back on the roster. His veteran constituents will not only pick up his slack, they can teach him how to adjust to NFL game speed.

Final Roster Projection

Miami now has four running backs on the final roster. All of them bring something different to the table.

• Duke Johnson
• Phillip Lindsay
• Raheem Mostert
• Kenneth Walker III

As far as payment, keep in mind these are all estimates based on previous contracts and recent body of work for each player. The previous signing of Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback in this plan puts Miami at approximately $74 million in cap space.

Then they add Duke Johnson, who made the veteran minimum last season. 2-years and $8 million dollars for Johnson will put the Dolphins at around $70 million.

Phillip Lindsay’s deal will be around the same, a 2-year, $8 million dollar deal that would allow Miami to easily jettison Lindsay the next year if they choose to. They are now at $66 million.

Raheem Mostert makes less simply due to lack of availability. Mike McDaniel knows him well, and will sell him on the idea of reviving his career with the Dolphins and his run scheme. So he signs a 2-year, $6 million dollar contract which again allows the Dolphins to move on afterwards. Miami stands at $63 million in cap space.

Finally, Kenneth Walker’s contract is based on the rookie wage scale. This changes depending on the NFL’s salary cap. Just for the sake of this article, Walker will receive a 4-year, $6 million dollar contract. Keep in mind, this is a rough estimate.

So this means Miami invests $14 million into their running back room for 2022. This seems like a lot, but Mike McDaniel is all about the running game. Giving the Miami Dolphins actual talent at the position should be crucial. With the three veterans on the team, Walker will be given the necessary time and tutelage to become a true star.

Notice the lack of Myles Gaskin on the final list. Unless he somehow begins to thrive under McDaniel’s tutelage, Gaskin will not beat out the three older running backs. With the new NFL rules regarding practice squad players, perhaps Gaskin will sign there, saving Miami around $2 million.

Gerrid Doaks will also get his chance to compete, but he won’t be able to overshadow the likes of Walker and the veterans. He remains on the practice squad as well.

Next time, the wide receiver position will receive its upgrade. Miami still has $61.5 million in cap space to play with. It’s time to start really going big.

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for seven years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

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