Navigating Crowded RB Rooms: Miami Dolphins

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The NFL draft has come and gone. We are finally starting to get a clear picture of what NFL team’s depth charts are going to look like for this upcoming season. As a dynasty manager, you should be starting to realize just how muddled the running back position has become. Outside of Jonathan Taylor, Najee Harris, and DAndre Swift, the dynasty running back landscape is tough to distinguish between, and even Harris and Swift have question marks. There is no clear consensus for the position, and with a vaunted 2023 class coming next year, it makes it even harder to identify running backs that you want to acquire for your dynasty rosters. However, the 2023 class isn’t here yet, and we need to win leagues this year. With that in mind, in this series of articles, we will be looking at five crowded running back rooms and just how you should be attacking each this season.

First up is the Miami Dolphins.

Offensive Scheme

The Dolphins brought in offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel from San Francisco to reinvent their offense. The Dolphins haven’t had a top-10 scoring offense in the NFL in over 20 years and, since 2012, have had only two 1,000-yard rushers. Those running backs are Lamar Miller and Jay Ajayi. Mcdaniel has proven to be one of the best offensive coordinators in football, and the Dolphins should see their rushing attack improve dramatically this season. His version of the West Coast offense will incorporate a highly effective zone blocking scheme that we have seen the 49ers implement successfully in their offense. While the new zone-blocking scheme should open holes up for the running backs and complement one cut runners the best, it should also benefit an offensive line that was ranked dead last according to PFF’s offensive line grades last season. The real value of this system is it will take pressure off the offensive line and incorporate either a fullback or tight end as their lead blockers. You shouldn't see many one-on-one matchups with their offensive lineman this season, leading to an improved rushing attack and more fantasy points. The question we need to look into is just what running back will be the sole benefactor of this new and improved scheme? It’s easy to say that you should avoid this backfield, but that won't help you win your league. In dynasty leagues, you have to take calculated risks to win, and knowing how to navigate tough backfields can give you the advantage that's needed to do just that.

Chase Edmonds

• Contract Status: 2 year, $12,100,000 contract
• Dynasty ADP: 12th Round RB38

Chase Edmonds was the Dolphin's big off-season acquisition. This off-season, the Dolphins signed Edmonds away from the Arizona Cardinals, and he looks to be the clear RB1 on the team. As strictly a runner, he’s a middle-of-the-pack back with a low floor for rushing touchdowns, but that's not where his value lies. His value lies in his pass-catching ability. If the Miami offense mirrors San Francisco, then the pass-catching running back in their offense is where you can find the edge you need for your leagues. In 2021, San Francisco’s running backs accounted for 98 targets in the offense, including thirty-seven targets to fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Chase Edmonds will be the best pass-catching back that McDaniels has coached. Edmonds has caught 96 passes for 713 yards and four touchdowns in the last two seasons. He could easily be a low-end RB2 this season if he stays healthy based on his pass-catching alone. If he can find a consistent role in the redzone, we could be looking at a league-winner in Edmonds just based on his ADP alone.

Dynasty Meter: Buy-Low