Does Miami have a Running Back Problem?

Does Miami have a Running Back Problem?

Of all the positions on this Miami Dolphins roster, running back should be the least of anyone’s worries. Yet, the room has an intriguing group with no clear depiction of who will be the primary backup beyond Achane. There are even clues that the Dolphins want to add more competition at the position.

Obviously, De’Von Achane has nothing to worry about. The newly extended ball carrier will be another fantasy round 1 target due to his reliability as a pass catcher and explosive speed in the open field.

For many years, Miami struggled to find a consistent running back group but always made do with what they had in stock. Jay Ajayi, Frank Gore, Myles Gaskin, and many others had fans on their feet even though they didn’t enter the season with any expectation. This time around, Miami has a group with many big names and high draft picks.

Behind Achane, Jaylen Wright has the most to prove as a former 4th-round pick (in which Miami spent a future 3rd-round pick to trade up). Wright had been inarguably misused by Mike McDaniel and only accumulated 537 rushing yards in 2 seasons under the coach. Now, he enters a more general system under coach Slowik, who likes to use his running backs in power sets more often.

Wright has explosiveness and size, which is a dangerous combination for a running back at the next level. His misuse may be hurting him in the film room, but he has a chance to run away with the backup job during camp and preseason.

Ollie Gordon was selected in the 7th round by Miami in 2025. He was a college football phenom at Oklahoma State before suffering an injury and hitting a wall in a new system that didn’t cater to his playstyle. In short, OSU wanted a speedy, shiftier back to run outside zone with, and Gordon is far from that profile.

His rookie season with the Dolphins was uneventful, but that was also in part due to the bland playcalling Mike McDaniel had in store anytime Gordon stepped on the field. He was used in a single role – put your head down and get me a yard. This didn’t help Ollie Gordon’s stat line, and it is very much not pretty.

On the bright side, Gordon showed power up the middle and the ability to hold onto the football through attempted punch-outs from linebackers and defensive tackles. He has an equal chance at the backup job heading into summer, competing primarily with Wright for snaps as the power back.

There is not much else in the running back room for Miami. They currently roster former Michigan Wolverine star Donovan Edwards, who has yet to log a regular-season snap, and Carlos Washington, a back who has logged 21 snaps on special teams in 2 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.

Why would Miami want more from this corps?

Well, with it already being a strong part of the team, including the revamped offensive line being one of the better run blocking groups in the game, Miami’s front office seems to want to solidify the backfield as best they can. They recently hosted former Raiders draft pick Zamir White on a visit and have continued to look into the free-agent market. I expect them to make a move before the preseason kicks up, as the team is looking for answers, not questions.

Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon have big shoes to fill, competing with each other and against players who may not even be rostered yet.

I believe in both, though, and expect one of them to emerge as an elite bell cow back to take the heat off of Achane after drives where he carries and catches the ball. Some have speculated the odd man out may be trade bait.

I hope both are able to carve out roles for themselves on the offense, but if the team decides to add another capable back, trading one of them may be the resolution to this running back problem.