Predicting the Week 1 Running Back Room

Predicting the Week 1 Running Back Room

We all know that De’VonAchane will run the show in the backfield this season, and hopefully for the foreseeable future, but there is more to the position than a single player. 

The Dolphins’ running back room has seen a plethora of rushers, from Jay Ajayi’s 2016 breakout season to the 2020 group of Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed. That mix succeeded the 2019 room, which was led by Ryan Fitzpatrick. Yes, the then-37-year-old quarterback tallied 243 total rushing yards, which was more than any true running back on the roster. 

Thankfully, Miami doesn’t have to worry about working with a declining Kenyan Drake, Miami native Mark Walton, or Patrick Laird carrying the load. We’re far past that time. 

2025 was a turn-of-the-page year in Miami Gardens. It was the first without Raheem Mostert, and it welcomed a younger set of legs. 

The Mostert-Achane tandem was fun to watch for a couple of years, but it’s a new era for the Dolphins. Even Jeff Wilson Jr. brought some excitement to the field, but I believe 2026 will be even greater. 

Miami drafted the 2023 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and Doak Walker Award winner, yet they didn’t really know how to use him. Ollie Gordon II brought a ton of juice to the team, but he only saw 70 carries.

There was a similar situation with Jaylen Wright. The Tennessee product would explode out of the backfield, prompting a slew of cheers from the home fans, only to be subbed out and fail to return to the field. Thanks, Mike McDaniel. 

Wright also had 70 carries last season and was 12 yards shy of totaling 300 on the year. 

Of course, Achane is RB1, but there needs to be a greater distribution of carries. Last year’s offense ran through the former Texas A&M standout, and for good reason, but Achane’s safety must be a priority. Let’s be honest — we can’t be throwing 15-yard fades in the corner of the end zone to a 5-foot-9 running back.

While it’s only May and there are many cuts to be made and contracts to be signed, I hope to see the same trio as last year on the Week 1 roster. Although there’s a case to be made for a young back to make it. 

Donovan Edwards was a 1,000-yard rusher in his senior campaign at Michigan. The Dolphins signed him back on Jan. 2, after he spent time with the Jets and Commanders. 

If Edwards doesn’t do enough to make the 53-man roster, I would expect him to stick around on the practice squad and be called up once in a while. 

Although I’m excited to see what Jeff Hafley does with Gordon and Wright. They both have a ton of potential that hasn’t been fully tapped into yet. 

Regardless of who suits up for the season opener, this team will remain speed-driven.