Johnathan Taylor is one heck of a running back
The Miami Dolphins seem to always be linked to a big name that is looking to be traded or hits the free agent market! As you have all well heard, Colts Running back Jonathan Taylor is next on the list. The Phins were recently one of the favorites to land Dalvin Cook, however, the Jets swooped in and offered a more generous offer instead. Now, Miami is the top contender for Taylor, so will they real in the big fish this time?!
Taylor is a stud of a runner!
Taylor is younger and arguably better than Cook and is easily one of the best young running backs in the league. The falling out with the Colts organization was sparked by the long-standing drama that led to him being given permission to seek a trade this week. The downside is the Colts said they would be looking for a first-round pick or the equivalent of multiple picks.
Christian McCaffrey was traded to the 49ers last year and they sent the Panthers a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th pick in the 2023 draft and a 5th round pick in the 2024 draft. The Dolphins had a chance to draft Taylor a couple of years ago, but they didn’t because Chris Grier and company have shown numerous times over the years they don’t value running backs. So it doesn’t make sense the Dolphins would trade away a bunch of valuable draft capital for a running back.
Does it?
As MJ pointed out in his article, Taylor wants to get paid, and the Dolphins have plenty of other players that are going to cost them big money over the next couple of seasons. Plus, the Dolphins have a stable of running backs that are cheap, and even though it’s just the preseason, they have run very well so far.
I’d love to have Taylor, but on the flip side, the Dolphins would be wise to keep their money and draft picks for something else.
The one outlier in this is that the best bookie services have odds on Taylor’s next team and the Dolphins are the current favorite at +250. The next favorite teams to land Taylor are the Bears at +400, Ravens at +700, Broncos at +750, and Cowboys at +750, which all seem like better bets and more sensible options.
That’s a sizable lead for the Dolphins!
Couldn’t the ammo be used elsewhere?
If Miami really wants to make a move, it should be on the defensive side of the ball. The Dolphins are already going to be without Ramsey for most of the season, and top-quality CBs are priceless and have much more value in this passing league than running backs. The Dolphins are just one more injury away in the secondary from having major issues.
My money is on the Dolphins not doing anything and rolling with the group of running backs they currently have.
Also, keep an eye on undrafted rookie running back Chris Brooks from BYU. He has had a solid camp and preseason. He could at least find himself on the practice squad and eventually a place on the 53-man roster when the season progresses and injuries begin to happen. While he’s not Taylor, he does add another option for this stable of backs the Dolphins have.
While I’d love to have Taylor and want to win a Super Bowl more than anything, next season will come. Taylor doesn’t guarantee us a Super Bowl, and I don’t want to cripple this team for a few years on an all-or-nothing 2023 Season!
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins’ thoughts on this latest player being linked to our team?