The most frustrating thing about the last two seasons of the rebuild was Miami’s lack of appreciation for the RB position. The reason why I call it a lack of appreciation is because they passed up on top RB’s coming out of the draft in exchange for later round picks.
In 2020, with three first round picks, Miami passed up Jonathan Taylor, who then was the number one RB in that draft. He is now one of the top RB’s in the league and what makes it so bad is that they passed him up TWICE! What made him special to me (besides how talented he is) was that he played for the Wisconsin Badgers, the state I grew up in.
Miami had 3 first round picks and they used the first pick on Tua Tagovailoa. Even though I did not want Miami to draft a QB that year, I have grown to really like the pick, especially considering all the crap this kid has endured and never even batted an eye! I am rooting for his success!
The second pick in that draft was Austin Jackson, and that too made perfect sense because Miami needed to address the O-Line. Even though he has not met expectations at LT, he is still only 22 years old and now with better coaching and a solid veteran tackle like Terron Armstead, I am hoping Jackson can finally find a solid role along the line no matter where it is.
With the third first round pick, they took CB Noah Igbinoghene. For me, that was a head scratcher and a major disappointment because Jonathan Taylor was still on the board and I did not expect him to last into the 2nd round, BUT HE DID!
So there was no way Miami was going to pass him up this time, would they? Well, with the 39th pick in that draft, they passed Taylor up again and drafted Robert Hunt, a favorite of mine, but none the less, I would have rather they drafted Taylor.
Why am I so obsessed with the RB position in a passing league? Because the teams that run the ball efficiently and stop the run end up with more wins at the end of the season because they control the game. You can’t score if you don’t have the ball, and establishing a running game is the best way to control the game. Also, as the season rolls along, the cold weather reaks havoc on the passing game.
There are more benefits (especially for Miami) to establishing a run game as it protects the QB, and teams with young QB’s like Miami can help them develop slowly and protect them with a solid run game. One thing I admire about New England is how they protected their young quarterback by providing him with run support.
It is obvious that former head coach Brian Flores as well as GM Chris Grier are of the opinion that you can get a RB in the later rounds to be just as effective, and in some cases, I can’t argue that point. But when you have a shot at that one RB that is special, then you need to get him, even if that means spending a first round pick on him.
Finally Commited To The Run Game
One thing is for sure, with a new sheriff in town, HC Mike McDaniel will run the ball because that is how his scheme works, that is his background and pholopshy, and the proof is in the pudding. Have you noticed the change in the RB’s room for Miami?
Miami’s top RB the past two seasons was 7th round pick Myles Gaskin, who now might be the 4th RB on the depth chart. Look at who Miami brought in this off-season to bolster the run game.
- Raheem Mostert
- Chase Edmonds
- Sony Michel
- Drafted Zaquandre White
It is this kind of commitment that gives me confidence that Miami’s rushng attack will improve along with the history of our new HC Mike McDaniel and his past roles in the Shanahan sytem.
The Dolphin Seer 