Solving the Dolphins’ RB Woes

To say that the Miami Dolphins have a running back problem is an understatement. Their leading rusher in 2019 was journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who had 243 yards. Mark Walton, who was cut in the middle of the season, led all Miami backs with 201 yards. And among backs who may actually return in 2020, Patrick Laird led the team with 168 rushing yards - but he averaged a pathetic 2.7 yards per carry. Plainly, this team’s run game is in crisis.

So what is the solution? Much (electronic) ink has been spilled over the past several months with wannabe mock drafters “solving” the team’s rushing issues by projecting them to draft Georgia’s Deandre Swift with one of their later first round draft picks (they have three firsts this year). As great of a talent as Swift is, it would be a colossal mistake for Miami to use that kind of draft capital on him. Given their short shelf life and general replaceability, running backs are rarely a wise investment in Round 1.

Assuming Miami uses the No. 5 overall pick on a quarterback, they would be much better off spending their remaining first round picks on an offensive tackle and an edge rusher, and working on the interior of the offensive line in Round 2.

To solve the run game issues, they should reach out to the Arizona Cardinals, who are desperate to move the aging and overpaid David Johnson. Even in a down year in 2019, Johnson rushed for 345 yards (more than any other Dolphins rusher) while battling injuries and splitting time with Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds. Johnson is due a whopping $14M in 2020… but Miami can afford it, as they head into 2020 with nearly $90M in cap space (which goes up to $100M if they cut Albert Wilson as anticipated). The contract wouldn’t hurt the rebuilding Dolphins, who need to spend to get to the salary cap minimum anyway. Giving up a conditional 6th round pick for Johnson gives them an established starter at running back, and allows them to avoid using a premium pick to stabilize the position - a pick that they can then use at another area of need. As an added bonus, Johnson also has a demonstrated track record as a competent pass-catcher, which should help the Dolphins as they likely break in a rookie quarterback. Rookie QBs tend to rely heavily on tight ends and running backs out of the backfield when they are under duress, and an experienced back like Johnson will probably be better for a rookie QB than another rookie at running back who is just learning what the game is like at the NFL level. So please, Miami, do the smart thing - trade a late pick for David Johnson so that you don’t have to spend a premium pick on a running back!