In the last article we mentioned that this is a deep draft for running backs, so it may be wiser for the Dolphins to pass on Todd Gurley and draft another running back in the 3rd or 4th round (As I mentioned before, I highly expect Hickey to find a way to trade back into the 3rd round). Another quality running back option in the middle to later rounds besides David Johnson would be Jeremy Langford from Michigan State.
Not only is Langford from a Big 10 school that plays against top competition. Michigan State has built a solid reputation for grooming running backs, one of their latest phenoms to become a stud in the NFL is Le’Veon Bell. Langford is 5’11”, weighs 208 pounds and ran a 4.42 40 yard time. He has been the Spartans’ work horse for the last 2 years, carrying the ball a total of 568 times, for a total of 2,944 yards, 40 touchdowns, and a 5.2 yards per carry average. He was also able to add 39 receptions for 219 yards and 1 touchdown in the passing game. One of the biggest things that jumps out in these gaudy statistics is the 40 touchdowns in 2 seasons, which shows this guy has a nose for the end-zone, and has the ability to punch it in from inside the red-zone.
Langford is another bigger more power style running back that would be a good compliment to Lamar Miller. Regardless if Miami drafts David Johnson or Jeremy Langford, these two backs are exactly the type of runners that would pair up well with Miller’s particular skill set, and if Miami wants to draft a running back then that player should have similar traits to these two youngsters. Most of the boys at the sportsbook would say that it is obvious that Miami does not have a bruiser that can get those tough yards on third down or at the goal line, so that is exactly the player that this organization needs to acquire. Both Langford and Johnson check off those boxes and both players could most likely be taken anywhere between the 3rd and 5th round, which is optimally the best time for Miami to select a running back if they do decide to use a draft choice on that position.
Like we have said ad nauseam, this team has quite a few needs that are at a higher priority than running back, so those other positions need to be addressed in the early rounds. However, later in the draft when it is more difficult to find players that will make an impact or even make the team, it would be a wise risk to select a running back with the skills of either Johnson or Langford, who could be a perfect compliment for our current running attack. What does the rest of Miami Dolphins news gurus think about selecting either Johnson or Langford in the middle rounds and what type of impact can we reasonably expect from them in year one?