Michel rounds out a solid group of running backs with Michel
Over the previous 3 off-season’s when Brian Flores was the coach, the Dolphins never put any stock in improving the running back group. They seemingly had very little value on the position. The result was the Dolphins were consistently terrible at running the ball, which a poor offense line had a fair share in too. However, now that coach McDaniel is in charge, he is making it clear that Miami is going to improve the running back group and give themselves a better chance to be more productive in the running game. I have have said this over and over, but a productive running attack goes a long way in helping a young QB!
Running backs are important to Mike McDaniel
The Dolphins have now added their third running back through free agency after they just signed former 2 time Super Bowl Champion Sony Michel. Michel is a former 1st round pick from 2018 and has played in the league for 4 years in 55 games, racking up 3,137 rushing yards with an average of 4.2 yards per carry, 47 receptions for 386 yards, and 20 touchdowns in total.
In his rookie season, Michel was a big contributor to the Patriots Super Bowl run and victory. Michel had 242 combined rushing yards and 5 touchdowns in the playoff rounds and 94 yards and the lone touchdown in the Super Bowl victory. That’s a total of 336 yards and 6 touchdowns in 3 playoff games, not too shabby!
In addition, he was a big contributor over the last 6 games last season when the Rams won the Super Bowl while filling in when other running backs were injured. Over the final 6 games of the regular season Michel rushed for 540 yards. He also has good ball security, only fumbling one time in the last two seasons where he carried the ball 325 times. He is very good in pass protection, allowing just 12 career QB pressures on 233 pass blocking attempts. Lastly, of his 822 career rushing attempts, 462 were on zone calls, which is something Coach McDaniel likes to use in his rushing schemes… so he should be a natural fit for what Miami will be incorporating this season.
There will be real competition at the position this season
Most of the PPH bookie services will agree that after Miami has added Mostert, Edmonds and Michel, their running back group has been significantly improved. Sure, there isn’t a pro bowl stud in this group, but these are all solid productive running backs that on paper are all better then what we have had over the last 3 years. Also, McDaniel prefers a running back by committee type of offense, so this is by design.
Miami has finally shown a clear desire to upgrade this position…
… And I think it’s fair to say we as fans are very excited to see our new look running back group and scheme in action this upcoming season.