Running Back, Running Back – Running From The Draft?
Dolphins have been looking high and low for a running back.
Running back, running back – is Miami running from the Draft?
Running back, running backs – is Miami running from drafting one early? We know of the failed attempts to get a running back in FA. We all know about the multiple reports that Miami is actively pursuing a trading partner in order to acquire a running back to pair with Jay Ajayi. Why the seeming distaste to get one in the 2016 Draft?
The Dolphins aren’t comfortable with Ajayi and Williams to carry their running game. But why are the Dolphins willing to trade away valuable draft picks? Miami is more than one player away from a playoff team, which means they need to be stock piling draft picks in order to give themselves a higher probability of selecting young talent in the draft.
Any wise sports betting fan will tell you that a perennial playoff team is built through the draft.
Miami’s 2012 draft class was a good example of this with them drafting Ryan Tannehill, Lamar Miller, Olivier Vernon, Rishard Matthews, and undrafted free agent Derrick Shelby. All those players are starters or contributors. However, the Dolphins decided that everyone besides Tannehill was too expensive to keep on the roster, so they allowed other teams to spend their money on these players that they painstakingly helped developed.
There must either be complete incompetence or a real rationale.
Miami put a firm value on these players that walked. And if someone was willing to pay more, they decided to let them walk. And walk they did. In the case of Miller, Miami was willing to pay him no more than $5 million per year, but the Texans were willing to pay him a bit more, which was $6.5 million a year.
Miami definitely had the cap space to afford Miller, however, they decided that the extra $1.5 million a year was seemingly not worth it.
As a result the Dolphins have actively pursued both C.J Anderson and Chris Johnson, but failed to sign either player. So now the Dolphins appear to be in a bit of a panic mode, and even felt the need to trade for a capable back.
My question is why trade for a running back when we can just draft cheap and young in the upcoming draft that many say is one of the deepest drafts for the running back position in the last 10 years?
Miami even traded out of the 8th spot and put Ezekiel Elliot even farther out of reach.
Running back Ezekiel Elliot is ranked by many as the most talented player in the 2016 Draft
I remember when Jimmy Johnson traded back the night before the 1998 Draft so he could avoid the tough decision of “having” to grab Randy Moss. It feels like that this time.
Does Miami want an excuse not to “have to” draft Elliot?
Does “the best player in the draft” not meet their evaluation?
It’s all conjecture, but for a position they are desperate to get and need badly, they are doing everything in there power to avoid picking him up.
Elliot was just in the Miami facility for a close look. Is it simply smoke and mirrors that if he does fall to them they want to appear interested for a trade back? Either they wanted him all along and knew he would make it to 13, or they are appearing to want him as not to diminish trade value, or they simply want no part of him.
This draft has so many subplots for the Miami Dolphins and might be the most exciting draft in years. Go Fins!!!
Admin
Another player who may not get drafted but Fins can bring to Camp? Why not block for Tannehill etc. He would bring toughness out of the Backfield?
Dan Vitale, FB, Northwestern
Utilized at versatile ‘superback’ position during his time at Northwestern. Has shown ability to line up in slot, from behind center and all points in between. Runs better routes than many of the wide outs in this draft. Able to catch throws in traffic and take the hit. Shows no hesitation to stick his nose in the hole and into his intended target as a blocker. Generally solid radar as a blocker. Consistently lands his strikes inside the framework of defender. Team-oriented and highly coachable leader.
Admin
A real scenario: 2016 NFL Season in to play and the Fins are at the Red Zone offensively, Which would be more successful?
1. Ezekiel Elliot beside Ajai or Ezekiel Elliot with option of Ajai or
Glen Gronkowski FB or Dan Vitale, FB, Northwestern
No way this is A one dimensional offense / Passing game?
We need to get away from Defensive linemen and Line Backers licking their Chops on the Dolphins Small fish running out the backfield on 3 downs and Red Zone area. Lastly we are always talking about protecting the QB? A great FB can give the QB a second or more?
Arkansas RB Jonathan Williams is visiting with the Patriots at Gillette today, per sources. Already met with them at the combine, too.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) Apr 11, 2016
Well someone Else see’s his value.
hahahha!!! Nice Job!!
Jimmy
I believed a smoke screen. No one knows who will fall to the Dolphins at 13th. But Hargreaves a shut down corner and Elliot are worthy of the 13th picked.
This is a no brainer: They aren’t there trade OUT FOR MORE PICKS.
Their is another Running back the second best running back in this draft.
Considering the Fins missed Elliot in the Draft. Collins we may missed also in the 3rd round. But No Worries with a Clean Bill of Health Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas
Williams isn’t likely near the bottom of most running back rankings, yet after missing the entire 2015 season with a foot injury, it’s been easy for him to get passed by his contemporaries. Heck, his teammate, Alex Collins, turned in a fantastic 2015 campaign in which he ran for 1,577 yards and 20 touchdowns on 271 carries for the Razorbacks. In 2014 though, Williams was Collins’ co-star for Arkansas, as the two both eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark and scored 12 rushing touchdowns.
At 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds, Williams is ideally designed to be a three-down, feature back in the NFL. He wasn’t able to run through drills at the combine because of his injury, but his 2014 film is spectacular. In nearly every outing, Williams flashed springy burst through the hole, power through tacklers and most impressively, a Carlos Hyde-like ability to maintain his balance after all types contact anywhere on his body.
While Williams doesn’t have the breakaway speed to score 80-yard touchdowns, pound-for-pound, his combo of vision, shiftiness and continual leg churn is second only to Ezekiel Elliott’s in this class. GO DOLPHINS!
http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/the_10_most_underrated_prospects_in_the_2016_nfl_draft/s1_13156_20637379
I think they are trying to set up for a scenario where he falls to them and they can trade out. I don’t think they want to draft him, but if he falls to them he is a useful commodity.
Jimmy!
The Arizona Cardinals, for example, found a gem in the third round a year ago in running back David Johnson. The underrated rookie from Northern Iowa accounted for 1,636 all-purpose yards for the Cardinals last year, scoring touchdowns as a rusher (eight), receiver (four) and on a 108-yard kick return. He was a Player that I pushed on this Forum just like I will Elliot. The second Best Back is Jonathan Williams considering he pass physical. The point is value (Would you say David Johnson was there most valuable draft pick in 2015 for the Cardinals. David Johnson did in college want he has done with the Cardinals.
Elliot’s has had many 200 yards + games against the top colleges. (Size ???) Hargreaves is above average in three main areas for the position: play speed, instincts and competitive toughness. It isn’t often that a true freshman comes into the SEC and is an immediate standout. Mediocrity will not see the value.
The Fins have the last word. But the Fans are tire of 3rd down failure on offense and defense?
I thought there might have been a chance Hargraves falls to 13, but…it’s getting harder to see the more I think about it.
Admin
You mention earlier No one knows which way these teams will draft?