The market’s pricey
Top-tier options will be available, but at a high cost
Running backs have proven their value in the Dolphins’ organization for decades, including Hall of Famer Larry Csonka in the 1970s, high-profile standout Ricky Williams in the 2000s and Jay Ajayi in 2016.
Perhaps the right running back could do something similarly dynamic for the 2023 Dolphins, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the upstart offense.
Free agency unofficially gets underway on March 13, when the two-day contact period begins.
Free agents can sign contracts on March 15, the first day of the new league year.
The Dolphins appear to be in a “win now” mode with acquisitions such as wide receiver Tyreek Hill ($120 million), left tackle Terron Armstead ($75 million), edge rusher Bradley Chubb ($110 million), and, reportedly, Vic Fangio, the soon-to-be-named defensive coordinator who will be the NFL’s highest-paid assistant coach at $4.5 million per season.
So it stands to reason the Dolphins might have an all-in attitude at such an important position.
If that’s the case, proven high-quality veterans such as Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants, Dallas’ Tony Pollard or Las Vegas’ Josh Jacobs, the NFL’s leading rusher last year, are available but their price tag starts at about $9 million per season.
There’s also a second tier of free agents that include Philadelphia’s Miles Sanders, Chicago’s David Montgomery or Detroit’s Jamaal Williams.
On the other hand, drafting a running back brings someone cheaper, younger, and with much less mileage. The issue there is you’re counting on an unproven quantity because he’s rookie.
The Dolphins lost their firstround pick due to tampering, but they have three second-round selections and two third-rounders.
The Dolphins’ top two running backs from last season, Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr., are both free agents and could be re-signed.
Each has experience with coach Mike McDaniel from their days together in San Francisco, and Mostert rushed for a career-best 891 yards last season before missing the wildcard playoff game at Buffalo due to a knee injury. Wilson, acquired from San Francisco at the Nov. 1 trade deadline, rushed for 392 yards in eight games with the Dolphins.
The Dolphins’ run game could use a boost, but the question is whether it’s more of a player issue or a play-calling issue.
Mostert averaged 4.9 yards per carry, and Wilson averaged 4.7 yards a carry.
But the Dolphins, who averaged 4.3 yards per carry, were secondto-last in rushing attempts.
The Dolphins saw what a good running game can do recently.
In 2016, the Dolphins found themselves floundering at 1-4 and needing a boost. They found it in Ajayi, the second-year fifth-round pick out of Boise State.
Ajayi put a jolt in the offense by rushing for 204 yards against Pittsburgh, 214 yards against Buffalo and 111 yards against the Jets, sparking a six-game winning streak, a 9-2 finish, 10-6 season record, and the franchise’s first wildcard berth since 2008.
Here’s a look at some of the free-agent running backs that could be a fit for the Dolphins. The franchise tag is estimated to be around $10 million for the 2023 season. The franchise tag deadline is March 7.
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants: Possibly the top running back on the market. He rushed for 1,312 yards (fourth-best in the NFL) on a career-best 295 carries last season and was named to the Pro Bowl and won Comeback Player of the Year. The fiveyear veteran has injury concerns that must be considered. He has a market value of around $12.3 million per year, according to Spotrac.com.
Tony Pollard, Dallas: Served as the No. 2 back behind Ezekiel Elliott, but according to a report last week, he’ll get the franchise tag. Pollard, who will be 26 when the season starts, rushed for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry last season. He sustained a fractured left fibula and high ankle sprain in the playoff loss to San Francisco, but is expected to fully recover by the start of next season. He has a market value of $9 million per year, according to Spotrac.com.
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas: Jacobs, the No. 24 pick in the 2019 draft, led the league in rushing with 1,653 yards. The 25-year-old also led the league in yards from scrimmage (2,053) and touches (393). He also is a candidate to get the franchise tag. Jacobs has said he wants to return to the Raiders and would play on the franchise tag if they loaded up on other positions, adding, “if you want me to come back as the hero, you better pay me like a hero.” Jacobs said if he doesn’t return to the Raiders, he’d like to play somewhere “tax free,” presumably meaning a state with no state income tax, such as Florida. He has a market value of $12.8 million per year, according to Spotrac.com.
Miles Sanders,
Sanders, a second-round pick in 2019, just completed his fourth season and recorded career bests in rushing yards (1,269) and touchdowns (11) while helping lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl. He had 50 receptions for 509 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie, but hasn’t had more than 28 receptions in any of his other three seasons. Sanders, who will be 26 when the season begins, was slowed by an ankle injury last season but has been durable, playing 57 of a possible 64 games. He has a market value of $7.2 million per year, according to Spotrac. com.
Philadelphia: David Chicago:
Montgomery, Montgomery, who will be 26 when the season begins, is a thirdround pick from Iowa State in 2019 and a dual-threat back. He rushed for 801 yards (4.0 yards per carry) and five touchdowns last season and added 34 receptions for 316 yards and one touchdown. In 2020, his second season, Montgomery rushed for 1,070 yards, his only 1,000-yard rushing season, and seven touchdowns. He’s averaged 39 receptions for 310 yards a season. Montgomery has been durable, playing in 60 of a possible 64 games. He has a market value of around $7.2 million, according to Spotrac.com.
Others to watch: Kareem Hunt, Cleveland; Jamaal Williams, Detroit; Damien Harris, New England; Rashaad Penny, Seattle; Dont’a Foreman, Carolina; Devin Singletary, Buffalo.