AFC East preview: With Cook move in question, where do Dolphins running backs rank?

The AFC East is shaping up to be arguably the toughest division in the NFL in 2023.

The Buffalo Bills have won the division each of the last three years. The New York Jets made the biggest move of the offseason, trading for future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. And the New England Patriots, despite an 8-9 record and third-place finish last season, are always a hard out under coach Bill Belichick.

The Dolphins have constructed, on paper, one of the strongest rosters in the league and are looking to take another step after making the playoffs for the first time since 2016. But their efforts to win their first postseason game since 2000 and pursue their first championship since 1973 will start in the division, which the team has not won since 2008.

Over an eight-part series leading into the start of training camp, the Miami Herald will rank and preview different positions for each team in the AFC East, from strongest to weakest. Part 1 is running back, and next is wide receiver and tight end.

1. New York Jets

▪ Projected depth chart: Breece Hall, Michael Carter, Israel Abanikanda, Zonovan Knight

▪ Depth chart: This is a bit of projection that Hall, who rushed for 463 yards in seven games before tearing his ACL in October, returns to form. Before his injury, Hall was in contention for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, which went to teammate Garrett Wilson.

Early reports from the Jets have been positive, though. Hall continued his rehab through organized team activities and coach Robert Saleh said he will be eased into training camp with the belief that he will be ready for Week 1. New York also selected Abanikanda in the fifth round of the NFL Draft to complement a room that includes Carter, who was a capable starter as a rookie in 2021.

2. Miami Dolphins

▪ Projected depth chart: Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., De’Von Achane

▪ Skinny: The possibility of signing four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook remains something to monitor. There is mutual interest but by all indications, Cook wants a salary from his new team that is close to the $10.4 million salary he was set to receive before he was released by the Minnesota Vikings. And he also seems content to take his time and wait for a suitable offer with the start of training camp over a month away.

For now, the Dolphins have a pair of veterans in Mostert and Wilson who are comfortable and effective running coach Mike McDaniel’s scheme. Neither is a bell cow but averaged 4.9 yards in 2022, which ranked 10th and 11th among qualifying running backs. Miami also drafted Achane in the third round and his speed plus pass-catching ability could provide a new dynamic to the offense.

3. New England Patriots

▪ Projected depth chart: Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong Jr., Kevin Harris, Ty Montgomery

▪ Skinny: In Stevenson, the Patriots might have the best pure runner in the division. And he emerged as a three-down back last season, catching 69 passes to go along with 1,040 rushing yards. New England doesn’t have proven depth behind Stevenson, as Strong and Harris combined for just 28 carries as rookies. The recent release of James Robinson could open a roster spot for Montgomery, who has been a reliable pass-catcher.

4. Buffalo Bills

▪ Projected depth chart: James Cook, Damien Harris, Latavius Murray, Nyheim Hines

▪ Skinny: The Bills lost Devin Singletary, who had been their lead back the previous four seasons, in free agency but signed veterans Harris and Murray. One or both will work with Cook, who is expected to step into a full-time role. Hines, like Cook, also gives Buffalo an electric pass-catching option, as well as a threat in the return game.