Miami - Backfield in Motion - Wright, Gordon and Herman

With the season ending knee injury to De’Von Achane, the Miami Dolphins will be looking for either Jaylen Wright or Ollie Gordon II to “tote the mail” from the running back position.

Coach Jeff Hafley said the RB2 role is split between Ollie Gordon II and Jaylen Wright, depending on the play and who fits the scheme best.

Backfield Overview

Jaylen Wright Running Style & Strengths

Passing Game Utility: His athleticism makes him a dangerous weapon on wheel routes, screens, and check-downs in space where he can isolate defenders one-on-one.

Elite World-Class Speed: Wright possesses 4.38 speed that allows him to outrun defensive angles. Once he clears the second level of a defense, he is a constant threat to score from anywhere on the field.

One-Cut Acceleration: He excels in outside zone and stretch running schemes. He can plant his foot, explode through a crease, and reach top speed almost instantly.

Surprising Contact Balance: Despite being known for his speed, he runs with a low center of gravity. He routinely absorbs arm tackles and keeps his legs churning for extra yardage.

• The RB2 Split: Coach Hafley previously noted that the backup duties behind De’Von Achane are shared rather than locked into a fixed pecking order.
• Jaylen Wright’s Role: Wright is typically listed as the primary backup on the depth chart and provides explosive speed and change-of-pace ability.
• Ollie Gordon’s Role: Gordon functions as the larger, physical option utilized heavily in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
• Current Status: With Achane sidelined by a knee injury and Wright dealing with foot and stinger issues, Gordon has taken on an elevated workload, but a full return of a healthy Wright points back to a shared committee approach rather than Gordon outright starting over him.

Ollie Gordon II is a classic, physical power-back who combines immense size with rare lateral agility and elite vision. Standing at 6’2″ and weighing around 225 pounds, he functions as a bruising, high-volume runner who gets stronger as the game wears on.

Running Style & Strengths

• Physicality & Contact Balance: Gordon is exceptionally difficult to bring down on the first contact. He runs with a violent, forward-leaning pad level and possesses the lower-body strength to run through arm tackles, frequently gaining yards after contact.
• Elite Vision & Patience: He excels at pressing the line of scrimmage, waiting for his blocks to develop, and identifying subtle creases in the defense. He is highly effective in both gap/power schemes and zone blocking concepts.
• Deceptive Lateral Quickness: Despite his large frame, he has unique jump-cut ability. He can break ankles in the hole and cut laterally across lanes without losing his forward momentum.
• Three-Down Capability: Unlike many traditional power-backs, Gordon is a reliable weapon in the passing game. He has soft hands for standard check-downs or screen passes and possesses the size required to be an effective pass-blocker.

What about the Fullback DJ Herman

Rookie fullback DJ Herman has been used as a pass catcher out of the backfield but mostly as a lead blocker to anchor the Dolphins’ commitment to the heavy, physical running game that Coach Hafley wanted to create. Clearing space for Achane was key but now he’ll be looking to make lanes for either Wright or Gordon and who knows what Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik might have buried deep in his game plan for Herman.

DJ Herman’s Role & Impact

• The Linebacker-to-Fullback Transition: Herman was signed as an undrafted free agent out of San Diego State, where he played exclusively at linebacker. He successfully transitioned to fullback during rookie minicamp to fill a specific roster need for Hafley’s offensive scheme.
• “Wrecking Ball” Mentality: Earning high praise from Hafley for his toughness and work ethic, Herman secured his spot on the active 53-man roster as a dominant edge and lead blocker. He is routinely used out of the I-formation to square up defensive ends and linebackers, creating the essential interior creases that running backs like Ollie Gordon II rely on.
• Sneaky Passing Target: While primarily deployed for blocking utility, he has proven athletic enough to leak out of play-action designs. He caught attention in Week 2 with an 18-yard reception against the San Francisco 49ers.

Herman’s heavy presence on the field directly supports Gordon’s physical running style in short-yardage sets, establishing the groundwork for the Dolphins’ run-first identity.