Get Ready for a Year of Pounding the Rock

Get Ready for a Year of Pounding the Rock

The Miami Dolphins have a storied history of stellar running backs. From Larry Csonka carrying the team to two Super Bowl titles and an undefeated season, to Ricky Williams looking unstoppable in 2002 and 2003, to Ronnie Brown taking the league by storm with the Wildcat. Despite having many down years, the run game has consistently been a bright spot in South Beach. 

The new staff will likely rely on the running game to take the pressure off of Malik Willis. Any quarterback is better with help on the ground, but the Packers really relied on their rushing attack when Willis played. In his two wins as a starter, the Packers controlled the game on the ground. Against the Colts in 2024, they rushed for 261 yards, and against the Titans that same year, they had 188. 

With the subtraction of Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, it looks like Miami will have to rely on the run game to be the focal point of the offense in 2026. Fortunately for Miami, they are well equipped to hit the ground running (pun intended) in that department. This article is predicated on the idea that De’Von Achane will not get traded and will be the main guy for Miami next season. 

Achane has already morphed from a draft pick with a lot of upside to one of the premier players at his position since being drafted in 2023. Last year, he really broke out as a star, rushing for 1,350 yards and 8 touchdowns while adding 488 yards and 4 touchdowns as a receiver. In his three seasons, he’s rushed for 3,057 yards and 22 touchdowns, and has had 1,277 yards and 13 touchdowns. If Achane continues to play at the level he’s shown himself to be able to and the Dolphins have a surprise season, he will likely be in the MVP conversation. 

Though Achane will not be alone in the backfield, as he has two backups who are looking to break out.

The first, Jaylen Wright, proved that he was a capable runner last year against the Jets. In that game, he had 24 rushes for 107 yards and 1 touchdown.

Unfortunately, in the two years he’s been on the team, he hasn’t had the opportunity to really establish himself as a consistent player. This season could provide that opportunity. 

Ollie Gordon II was once the best running back in college football before falling down draft boards after a lackluster senior season. In his first year in the league last season Gordon struggled, he immediately got the opportunity to be a change of pace and back up behind Achane and there were moments where he impressed. Unfortunately, those were few and far between as he only managed 199 yards on 70 carries.

Hopefully, he will be able to show he belongs in the league next season. 

There aren’t too many bright spots on this Dolphins roster. The backfield is really the only place that gives me hope that we’ll win a few games. The trio of Achane, Wright, and Gordon has the chance to take the league by storm and help Malik Willis thrive as a starter.

You can follow me on YouTube @WickedGoodEverything and X @TheFakeBMarr