The Miami Dolphins enter the 2021 season with a crowded, yet unproven running back corps. Aside from being the co-offensive coordinator, Eric Studesville is responsible for the team’s development at the running back position. In 2020, Miami had the league’s 5th lowest average in terms of yards per carry.
Husky Backfield
The Dolphins two leading rushers from the 2020 campaign will be returning. University of Washington products Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin both averaged over four yards a carry last season. Gaskin, the team’s leading rusher, managed to tally 584 rushing yards in just 10 games played. Although the team originally experimented with free agent signees Jordan Howard and Matt Breida, Gaskin proved to be the most reliable option. The 5-foot-9 speedster almost impressively managed to haul in 41 receptions in an injury-shortened season.
After Gaskin suffered a sprain MCL on November 5th, his former University of Washington teammate Salvon Ahmed carried the workload. In just six games, Ahmed totaled 319 rushing yards and reached the end zone three times. Any game where Ahmed surpassed 12 carries, he ran for at least 85 yards. Assuming Ahmed played a full season, the rookie would have ran for a respectable 850 yards based on his per-game averages.
Off-Season Addition
The Dolphins third tool at running back also surpassed the coveted four yards per-rush threshold last season. The notion is quite simple, three rushes of four yards equal a first down. Having a constant threat at running back will open up the passing game and allow for a versatile offense. Malcolm Brown totaled 419 yards on 101 attempts, averaging 4.1 yards a carry. The bruising UT alum will serve as a formidable goal-line back as he found the end zone five times last year.