Dolphins Running Back Options: a Big Name Like Jacobs or Status Quo?

The Miami Dolphins have three pending free agents at running back, so they have big decisions to make at that position

With NFL free agency on the horizon, we've reached the time of year when national media analysts start trying to project where some of the most coveted players could end up.

And one such recent exercise by CBS Sports came up with an interesting name for the Miami Dolphins in a story about which free agent every NFL team should prioritize.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs.

It's certainly an eye-opening name for the Dolphins after Jacobs led the NFL in rushing in 2022 with 1,653 yards and there's no doubt he'd be a great addition for any team, including Miami.

Here's what CBS writer Jordan Dajani said: "Last offseason, the Dolphins attempted to stockpile running backs. They signed Raheem Mostert, Sony Michel and Chase Edmonds to run alongside Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin. Mike McDaniel is used to a rotation from his 49ers days, but maybe for his second season as head coach, he chases a legitimate starter. Remember, McDaniel made his name scheming for the run.

"Jacobs was the best running back in the NFL last year, as he rushed for 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns. Spotrac believe he's set to sign a monster four-year, $51.4M extension that carries an AAV of $12.8M to make him the third highest-paid running back in the NFL. My personal guess would be lower than that. The Dolphins don't have a great cap situation, but keep an eye on what Miami does at running back. Jeff Wilson, Mostert, Ahmed and Gaskin are all free agents."

As Dajani pointed out, the Dolphins did sign Mostert and Edmonds as unrestricted free agents in 2022, making five UFA running backs in the past five years.

But here's the important point: Not one of them was a star in his prime like Jacobs.

Before Mostert and Edmonds last year, there was Malcolm Brown in 2021, Jordan Howard in 2020 and Frank Gore in 2018.

Another important point, mentioned in the article, is that the Dolphins are in a tough cap situation, so they're not exactly going to have the kind of money to going after a lot of high-priced free agents.

So while adding Jacobs certainly sounds exciting, it's actually the kind of move that's difficult to envision the Dolphins making.

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THE DOLPHINS' LIKELY APPROACH AT RUNNING BACK

The Dolphins do have moves to make at running back because Mostert and midseason acquisition Jeff Wilson Jr. both are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next month, and Salvon Ahmed is expected to become an RFA.

Given that Mostert averaged 4.9 yards per carry in 2022 and had two 100-yard outings and that Wilson averaged 4.7 yards and had a 100-yard performance against Cleveland, it seems a lot more likely the Dolphins will re-sign both Mostert and Wilson than go big-name hunting for Jacobs or another pending UFA like Saquon Barkley.

Whatever issues there were with the Dolphins running game, Mostert and Wilson performed admirably. Mostert was eighth among NFL running backs in fewest rushing attempt per broken tackle, according to Pro Football Reference, while Wilson was 18th.

Spotrac estimated Mostert's market value at $2.2 million annually and Wilson at $2.9 million. Jacobs' value was estimated at $12.8 million and Barkley was pegged at $12.2 million.

For a team that actually ran the ball relatively well last season, has needs at other positions and only so much money to speed. the Dolphins going after somebody like Jacobs or Barkley just doesn't seem realistic.

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