Dolphins position review: Will Miami make a splash addition at running back?

In 2023, the Dolphins had a 30-year-old back produce the best year of his career and a rookie who established himself as a budding star.

With a greater commitment to the ground game, Miami developed into one of the most run-averse teams in the NFL to a top rushing offense.

The Dolphins have plenty of options and a diverse group of styles in the backfield but after being linked to several high-profile running backs last offseason, could Miami make a big addition this time?

In the second of a series of position reviews, the Miami Herald will examine the team’s running back situation. Next up is wide receiver.

2023 IN REVIEW

The Dolphins entered training camp with a logjam at running back and, yet, most of the talk about their options consisted of players not on the roster. Miami entertained bringing in Dalvin Cook after his release from the Minnesota Vikings and was also linked to Jonathan Taylor, Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley to varying degrees.

Miami ultimately didn’t add any of the running backs and went into the season with a position room that was once again led by Raheem Mostert. De’Von Achane, the team’s third-round pick in the 2023 Draft, soon announced himself to the NFL world with a 203-yard rushing performance in the Dolphins’ 70-point outing in Week 3 and remained a focal point of the offense when healthy.

In 2022, Miami ranked 31st in rushing attempts (370) and rushing yards (1,686) and tied for 18th in yards per carry (4.3). Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel promised to run more in 2023 and followed through. In 2023, Miami ranked 15th in attempts (456), sixth in yards (2,308) and led the NFL with 5.1 yards per carry.

DEPTH CHART

RAHEEM MOSTERT

▪ Skinny: In his age-31 season, Mostert had the best year of his career. He rushed for a career-high 1,012 yards. His 18 touchdowns are not only the most he has scored in a season but set a Dolphins franchise record. Mostert was also named to his first Pro Bowl.

▪ Contract: Mostert, who turns 32 in April, is entering the final year of a two-year deal he signed in 2022. He has a cap hit of $3,360,882 but none of his $2.355 million base salary is guaranteed.

De’Von Achane

▪ Skinny: Achane missed six games because of injuries but still established himself as a budding star with a historically efficient rookie season. He rushed for 800 yards on 103 carries; no player in modern pro football history averaged as many yards per rushing attempt (7.8) as Achane did in 2023 in 100-plus carries.

▪ Contract: Achane, who turns 23 in October, is entering the second year of his four-year rookie contract. He has a cap hit of $1,235,784.

Jeff Wilson Jr.

▪ Skinny: Wilson missed the first six games of the season on injured reserve because of a ribs and finger injury. Upon his return, he was never a mainstay in the offense like he was after the Dolphins traded for him in November 2022. Wilson carried the ball 41 times for 188 yards, his fewest attempts and yards since 2019.

▪ Contract: Wilson, who turns 29 in November, is entering the final year of a two-year contract he signed in 2022. He has a cap hit of $3,677,500 but none of his $2.645 million base salary is guaranteed.

Chris Brooks

▪ Skinny: Brooks was one of three undrafted rookies to make the initial 53-man roster. He appeared in nine games and primarily contributed on special teams but he recorded 106 rushing yards on 19 carries.

▪ Contract: Brooks, 24, is entering the second year of a three-year contract he signed as an undrafted free agent. He has a cap hit of $915,666 but none of his $915,000 base salary is guaranteed.

Salvon Ahmed

▪ Skinny: Ahmed appeared in eight games, recording 22 carries for 61 yards and one touchdown. He also caught 16 passes for 88 yards and one touchdown. Ahmed was placed on injured reserve and missed the final eight games of the season after sustaining a Lisfranc (foot) injury and jaw injury in Week 11.

▪ Contract: Ahmed, who turns 26 in December, is an unrestricted free agent.

OFFSEASON QUESTIONS

1. Is Achane ready for a bigger role?

For much of the season, Achane split the workload with Mostert. He only recorded 20 touches twice in a game, and a knee injury sidelined him for five games in the middle of the season, bringing back predraft injury concerns for the 5-9, 188-pound back. But when Mostert was out because of injuries in the final two games of the regular season, Achane shouldered the load, albeit in limited touches. In Weeks 17 and 18, Achane recorded 198 scrimmage yards on 29 touches, a 6.8-yard average.

Achane likely won’t ever become a bell cow because of his frame but aside from wide receiver Tyreek Hill, he’s arguably the Dolphins’ top big-play threat. Miami tried to get him involved as a pass-catcher and that’s a natural avenue for his role to grow in 2024.

2. Do the Dolphins look for a big name?

While McDaniel expressed faith in the Dolphins’ running backs, there is some significance that Miami was linked to so many top running backs after ranking toward the bottom of the league in rushing.

Jacobs, as well as the Tennessee Titans’ Derrick Henry, are set to become free agents so Miami will have options if they want to add even more juice to the running back room. But with limited projected cap space and other needs, is it worth it after Mostert’s career year and Achane’s emergence?

3. Can the Dolphins find a consistent power element?

Miami had one of the best big-play rushing games in the NFL but still struggled in third-and-short opportunities. That could say as much about the Dolphins’ offensive line but while speed has become a defining trait of the offense, Miami could maybe use a bit more ruggedness to its rushing game in 2024. Despite Wilson’s profile as a tough runner, he was stuck behind Mostert and Achane on the depth chart. And he’s seemingly a cap casualty target with none of his base salary guaranteed. Could Brooks fill that role? He had limited touches as an undrafted rookie but impressed with his vision and power.

POTENTIAL ADDITIONS

As referenced before, the Dolphins likely won’t be able to give out big money to a running back but could get creative with signing bonuses and void years, which do not extend the contract and are used as placeholders for the prorated bonus, to make it work.

The selection of Achane with the No. 84 overall pick marked the first time the Dolphins picked a running back in the first three rounds of the draft since 2016. Another running back draft selection in 2024 — if at all — would likely come on Day 3 when the Dolphins have four picks as opposed to the first two days when Miami has a first- and second-round pick.

Louisville’s Jawhar Jordan is a Day 3 option that would fit McDaniel’s love for speed, while Missouri’s Cody Schrader is more of a between-the-tackles option.