3rd Day Running Backs To Keep An Eye On
Some late-round options in the 2018 Draft could round out the Phins Running Back stable
Drake and Gore could use an extra Running Back to help carry the load
The Dolphins will go into the 2018 Season with Kenyan Drake as their feature running back and Frank Gore as his primary relief.
Phinsnews was one of the first to put a stake in the ground on the wisdom of the Ajayi trade and the huge upside of Drake back in early December. Also, we are very high on Gore being brought in and we wrote about it with a film study here…
…But Gore–entering his 14th season–is a stop-gap. The 2018 Season could easily be his last year in the league. So most fans, experts, and the best bookie services are betting that the Dolphins will use one of their picks on a Running Back. At what round is the unknown.
One of the few things this organization has shown over the years is the capacity to find quality running backs: Ajayi, Drake, Miller, and Williams (an undrafted RB). So there’s no reason why they shouldn’t take a chance on drafting a running back in this upcoming draft. RB is a deep position in the draft and there are some very intriguing prospects that should be available, even some mid-way through the 3rd day.
A good rookie Running Back would be a huge insurance policy
Three players I would like to draw attention to are Akrum Wadley, Jaylen Samuels, and Nyheim Hines.
The key asset of these three young men is that they aren’t just runner, but are also excellent receivers. Gase prefers to have running backs he can utilize in the passing game. So some of these players might make sense at a bargain basement price.
Wadley is a smaller back at 5’9” 194 pounds from Big 10 school Iowa, but he may be one of the best passing catching running backs in the entire draft. Last year he had 28 receptions for 353 yards and 3 touchdowns, and the year before he had 36 catches for 315 yards and 3 touchdowns. Oh and he also can return kicks as well. His special team value could be another draw for the Dolphins. In case you’re wondering, he was also a productive runner with 1,109 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns and a 4.4 YPC average in 2017 against top College competition.
Running Backs have a short shelf life, so it’s wise to have quality backups
Jaylen Samuels and Nyheim Hines both played for NC State and each player was able to display their versatility on the ground and through the air:
Samuels will likely end up an H-Back in the NFL–à la Charles Clay. He racked up a ridiculous 76 catches for 597 yards and 4 touchdowns thru the air in 2017. Clearly, he could be a very dangerous weapon in Gase’s offense, and he also can run the ball. He ran for 403 yards last season and 12 touchdowns and had an impressive 5.2 YPC last season.
Hines received the bulk of the carries for the wolf pack last season and had an even better YPC average of 5.6 with 1,112 yards and 12 touchdowns. But he is also a threat catching passes out of the backfield. Hines racked up 69 receptions for 677 yards and 1 touchdown in his last two years at NC State. Lastly, he also averaged 25 yards per kick return over his last 3 seasons and scored 2 touchdowns, and averaged 11.3 yards per punt return and 1 touchdown. Not too shabby.
Miami has plenty of needs and that could make them wait till later rounds to find one
Each of these players could prove to be excellent value on the 3rd day of the draft if Miami doesn’t use a premium pick on an HB Day 1 or Day 2. I lean towards one being taken by the 4th Round with the early #123 pick, which will likely garner them a tier higher in RB talent than Akrum Wadley, Jaylen Samuels, and Nyheim Hines. But the draft is crazy. They might find themselves using the latter 4th or even their 6th to get one. Or there could be a run on RBs, which would drive up the value and make Miami reach. What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans thoughts about drafting one of these running backs?
Admin!
Certainly the fans will pay to watch Jaylen Samuels the H-Back performed. Secondly who cover’s Samuels with a mobile Quarterback?
I think a quality H-back would be a huge asset in Gase’s system. Not sure Gray can be that… hopefully, he can though.
Admin & Fans
Sample of getting the Proper Trade value for your top players. Does this come from good coaching or good management. This is not to insult but asking a question?
By Hayden Bird updated on April 4, 2018
The Patriots have made several notable moves involving 2018 draft picks over the past year. The most recent of which was sending Brandin Cooks to the Rams in exchange for a first round pick. Trading Jimmy Garoppolo to the 49ers in October – while leaving the Patriots with a conspicuous hole behind Tom Brady at the quarterback position – handed New England another promising draft pick.
This leaves the Patriots in an advantageous position regarding the first two rounds of the draft. Never one to stand pat, Bill Belichick has often multiplied his draft pick options over the years. Looking ahead to the 2018 draft, that could be the Patriots’ strategy once again.
https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2017/10/31/patriots-2018-draft-picks-list
Apr 11, 2018
NFL Insiders
After losing several players in free agency, the New England Patriots have needs across their roster. Nate Solder, Malcolm Butler, Dion Lewis, Cameron Fleming and Danny Amendola are among the recent contributors who are now gone. They also have no young backup with potential behind soon-to-be 41-year-old quarterback Tom Brady.
Now, after trading Brandin Cooks for a first-round pick, Bill Belichick & Co. have the draft capital (picks 23, 31, 43, 63 and 95 in the first three rounds) to move into the top 10 of the 2018 draft. But Belichick is known to do the opposite — he likes trading down and acquiring extra picks, not trading up and mortgaging next year’s picks. So what will New England do?
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23105928/perfect-new-england-patriots-2018-nfl-draft-insiders-roundtable-predict-picks-targets-trades
With the Pats, they are in an advantageous situation and have been in one for a while, with all their winning. They can afford to make these moves. It is a product of how they rn things for sure, but most of it comes from them nailing a 6th round pick in Brady. Luck, talent, and success have put nitro into their regime. Miami needs to get to this level, but only winning and winning fairly large, or sucking hard for years, will solve this. Miami almost began to use this formula in 2016, but the Carroo trade destroyed the momentum. I think if they can get Tannehill playing in the 15-10 range and get an arrow up 9 + wins in 2018, they too can get into the move back mode of small ball. They must nail this #11 pick however they go about it. Waiting 3 years like with Tunsil will not suffice unless it’s a QB…
Admin
Yes i agree Admin!
This article below shows the home work that the Patriots did on Tom Brandy before the 2000 draft.
Here is a special Note: The patriots are interested in Nic Shomonek Texas Tech Quarterback. The Dolphins have not done their home work properly on 1st round picks for years and the Dolphins are afraid to draft a quarterback who can replaced Tannehill. They insist that he will be their Guy regardless. Mean while each season they are scratching their heads.
The Patriots were actually quite high on Brady.
http://www.businessinsider.com/patriots-draft-tom-brady-2017-1
I’m sort of cold-blooded. Reason weighs most heavily… I can’t say how much I appreciate a solid stance that affects my thoughts… the trade back, which has been born from Steve, has done that in spades. I really, really see the wisdom. I thank you for that. I’m a weird one. So when I get new paths down the causeway of the future, I appreciate it. I’m downing a bunch of foreign beers and enjoying the ride. Thanks, Steve. I keep seeing a coveted QB @#11… and the extra picks that follow… Hurst at #16… with an additional 2nd or 3rd… cool stuff… appreciate the new roads created.
Admin
Here’s are the first round picks starting 2009. My questioned the dolphins are not getting first round trade value for these high picks. Surely this cannot be the Norm across the league?
2009
25
Vontae Davis
Cornerback
Illinois
2010
28
Jared Odrick
DT
Penn State
2011
15
Mike Pouncey
Center
Florida
2012
8
Ryan Tannehill
Quarterback
Texas A&M
2013
3
Dion Jordan
Defensive end
Oregon
2014
19
Ja’Wuan James
Offensive tackle
Tennessee
2015
14
DeVante Parker
Wide receiver
University of Louisville
2016
13
Laremy Tunsil
Offensive tackle
Mississippi
4th rounders who can carry the Dolphins.
123 RB Rashaad Penny vs Stanford 2017 https://youtu.be/dtt-qMVr_A4
135 Nyheim Hines NC State Jr RB 12 https://youtu.be/9ViByHJ8ZzM
144 Akrum Wadley Iowa Sr RB 13 5-10 191 https://youtu.be/TvwXxeYEz0g
Josh Adams for Notre Dame is really good but the speed of Miami was too much for the Notre Dame offensive line.
Miami Hurricanes Defensive Highlights vs Notre Dame
https://youtu.be/cRpyl_Up6Ro
I feel that Royce Freeman is the perfect fit for the Dolphins.
59 Royce Freeman – Senior Highlights (2017) https://youtu.be/l9bm20hsess
Don’t under estimate the Dolphins to draft early.
45 Nick Chubb Georgia Sr RB 4 5-11 228 https://youtu.be/RElC719IS4w
53 Sony Michel Georgia Sr RB 5 5-11 220 https://youtu.be/KoWe_3G2BVU
These running backs were listed the top five early 2017 season.
https://www.ncaa.com/video/football/2017-08-28/high-five-college-football-running-backs-2017-season
These running backs were listed the top three back in August 2017.
Top Three Running Backs in College Football of 2017 Published on Aug 23, 2017
https://youtu.be/eVfMtB-oVdw
Bo down has drop since August 23, 2017/// I know he had some injury, not sure?
212 Bo Scarbrough Alabama Jr RB 20 6-1 232