Historical perspective on the amazing feats of the Dolphins running game so far this year

No team, in the Super Bowl era, has averaged more than 5.5 yards per rushing attempt over the course of a season.

So the Dolphins’ 6.5 per-carry average through six games is pretty staggering. It’s more than a full yard ahead of Arizona, which ranks second in yards-per carry average at 5.2.

That the Dolphins are at this level is a testament to the backs, the sterling blocking and to Mike McDaniel’s commitment to running the ball more.

After the season, Raheem Mostert told Mike McDaniel that he hoped he would run the ball more this season. McDaniel agreed that he should, and he has stuck by that commitment.

“[He said], ‘Hey, I’m going to run the ball more,’” Mostert said of his postseason conversation with McDaniel. “You can see we are doing that more. Our offense is prolific.”

After finishing with the second-fewest carries in the league last season, the Dolphins have the eighth-most attempts this season (168).

They’re averaging 181.8 rushing yards per game, 32 more than the team that’s second on the list (Philadelphia). They have run for a first down 47 times, fourth most in the league.

They have seven rushes of 40 yards or more; Arizona and the Jets are next closest with three, and 20 teams don’t have a single rush over 40 yards.

From an historical standpoint, consider this: The Dolphins 6.5 per-carry average is a full yard more than any team in the Super Bowl era has averaged over a full season; Baltimore (in 2019 and 2020), Detroit (in 1997) and Atlanta (in 2006) all averaged 5.5 per rushing attempt.

The NFL record for season yards-per carry average in the pre-Super Bowl era is held by San Francisco (1954) and Cleveland (1963); they averaged 5.7 per rushing attempt.

Miami is not on pace to set a record for rushing yards in a season; Baltimore holds that record with 3,296 in 2019. The Dolphins are on pace for 3,091.

INDIVIDUAL MARKS

And from an individual standpoint, there’s this: Mostert’s 5.7 per-carry average (on 75 carries) is second in the league behind the Jets’ Breece Hall (minimum 40 carries) and his 429 rushing yards ranks seventh. He leads the league with 11 touchdowns.

Injured running back De’Von Achane’s 12.1 per carry average (on 38 carries) would be an NFL record if he finishes with enough carries to qualify. He’s expected back for the Dolphins’ Nov. 19 game against the Raiders.

Mostert’s 5.4 career rushing average is very narrowly ahead of Bo Jackson for the NFL’s highest since 1970.

McDaniel creatively described Mostert’s running style recently:

“One of his greatest strengths is linear yard accumulation,” said McDaniel, who has worked with Mostert for five seasons in San Francisco and two with the Dolphins.

“He treats almost every play like a kick return is the way I look at it. He sees a hole [and takes off]. There’s not that many runners in the league that you see finish a run where the tacklers are coming to compress and that are falling that way because they’re just a hair off on their angle, because of the way that he approaches the line of scrimmage.

“Like I’ve always said, you recognize a different breed when you come across. This is a guy that just keeps getting stronger. And he’s as hungry as ever.”

Mostert agrees with that description.

“He said that when we were in San Francisco together,” Mostert said. “He thought my [running] was similar to a kickoff return, how you get blockers in front of you and pick a hole and burst through i

“I believe that’s my game. That’s as accurate as it can be, especially in this offense. You do have to pick a hole. If [trying to get through one] hole doesn’t work, you have to go to the next one, hole B. It’s all about patience. You see a hole just hit it and don’t have any regrets about it.”

The fact Mostert stands near the top of NFL running backs in rushing average is meaningful to him.

“I want to make history,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what category. To be in the history books, a guy like me, an undrafted guy in year nine, I don’t take those things for granted. To be mentioned with a legend like Bo Jackson, I know Jamaal Charles is up there, it’s humbling and drives me more to continue to push myself.”

Beyond the good work of Mostert and Achane, the Dolphins’ offensive linemen, tight ends and receivers have made a big difference in the running game.

Among all centers, Connor Williams ranks third as a run blocker, per Pro Football Focus grades.

Among all guards, Robert Hunt is 14th as a run blocker.

Isaiah Wynn — who has moved from tackle with the Patriots to left guard with Miami — said the team’s zone blocking scheme fits his strengths in the run game. “I consider myself kind of athletic; being able to play to that strength [in this system] is pretty dope.”

Meanwhile, Durham Smythe ranks 11th in run blocking among tight ends.

Among receivers, Jaylen Waddle is seventh in run blocking, and Tyreek Hill is 44th.

Even with Achane out three more games and Chris Brooks (ankle) out for multiple weeks, the unit should get a boost from Jeff Wilson Jr.’s return from injured reserve, if that roster move is made this week. Wilson is needed this week, with only Mostert and Salvon Ahmed healthy among running backs on the 53-man roster.

“I’m really excited for ‘Jefe’ to come back,” Mostert said. “That’s my counterpart. He gets me going; even on the sideline [Sunday against Carolina], he got me going. He told me to shake back and get right and all that good stuff and that’s something I needed, especially from a guy I haven’t missed a year with.”

Brooks’ ankle is not broken; he’s week to week.