How the Dolphins would utilize their backfield was one of the big offseason debates. How they'd ideally use it has become even less certain, which injuries already playing a role in things.
Miami hosts the Buffalo Bills tomorrow night, and it's not clear who's playing or who will lead the way. Raheem Mostert (chest) has been ruled out already. DeVon Achane (ankle) is being called a game-time decision, which helps no one (at least if he winds up inactive, you'll know it before any of the week's other games are played).
Jeff Wilson had their most effective game running the ball in Week 1; he might well be the main runner. Rookie Jaylen Wright (pictured) was a healthy scratch, but that probably won't be the case in Week 2.
If Achane is active, he probably needs to be used. Last week he scored and also caught 7 passes for 76 yards, huge production in PPR leagues. Wilson would probably play the Mostert role, with Wright perhaps mixing in a little.
But if Achane is inactive, starting Wilson or Wright starts to make sense. Could be a Wilson-Wright tandem, taking over for Mostert-Achane, and that was pretty good for a lot of last season.
Since the start of last season (that's 18 regular-season games, including last week) the Dolphins have scored at least 1 rushing touchdown 14 times, and multiple rushing scores in half (9) of those games. They went over 100 yards 11 times, and 140 in eight of those games. They averaged 125 yards and scored 3 TDs on the ground in the two Buffalo games. Their quarterback doesn't run, so the running backs will account for the vast majority of that.
| MIAMI RUSHING PRODUCTION, 2023-PRESENT | ||
|---|---|---|
| Opp | Yards | TDs |
| at LAC | 70 | 1 |
| at N.E. | 145 | 2 |
| Den | 350 | 5 |
| at Buf | 142 | 2 |
| NYG | 222 | 2 |
| Car | 162 | 3 |
| at Phil | 45 | 0 |
| N.E. | 78 | 1 |
| K.C. | 117 | 1 |
| L.V. | 99 | 0 |
| at NYJ | 167 | 2 |
| at Was | 123 | 3 |
| Ten | 158 | 2 |
| NYJ | 77 | 2 |
| Dall | 91 | 0 |
| at Bal | 154 | 0 |
| Buf | 108 | 1 |
| Jac | 81 | 1 |
I've got Wright on a lot of benches. If Achane winds up inactive, I might well stick him in a lineup. I don't have Wilson, but he's probably available, and I'll be thinking about grabbing him, too.
--Andy Richardson