MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — At +250, the Miami Dolphins are the clear betting favorite to trade for disgruntled Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, as priced up by DraftKings.
But at Dolphins camp here Tuesday, it was a business-as-usual approach.
Miami Dolphins Interest in Jonathan Taylor?
Dolphins running backs coach Eric Studesville said complimentary things about Taylor before practice here Tuesday but didn’t exactly lobby for the team to sign him.
“I think he’s done a helluva job so far that he’s been in the NFL,” Studesville said. “He’s a really good player. He’s a really good player.”
Of course, Studesville is right, and obviously so. Taylor, just two years ago, led the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
And the Dolphins surely would love to add another player the caliber of Taylor to an already loaded roster.
But we live in the real world here, with constraints such as the salary cap (Miami is already roughly $40 million over it in 2024), the Colts’ reported asking price (a first-round pick), Taylor’s contract demands (well north of $10 million AAV), and the impact such a signing would have on others in the Dolphins’ locker room (i.e., Christian Wilkins, who wants a new contract of his own).
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Plus, the Dolphins already go at least five deep at the position. They rushed for over 200 yards in their preseason win over the Texans.
“I think the depth in the room is excellent,” Studesville said. “It’s a room of seven guys that can all play. You know, that’s if you include Alec [Ingold] in there. I mean, Alec has done a great job with the six tailbacks.
“They’ve all had their rotations and done a great job when they’ve been in games, practice their pros and how they conduct themselves each and every day, and they work great with each other.”
But when Studesville was asked if he was convinced that there is enough in that room to ensure a successful season, he stopped short.
“Do I have enough to have a great season?” Studesville replied. “I don’t know how you do that. Whoever is in our room is gonna give us the best chance to win, and we’re gonna coach them that way, and we’re gonna put them on the field, and you never know if it’s enough until you get to the point where you know if it’s enough.”
After practice, Raheem Mostert — who for now is Miami’s RB1 — was asked aout the possibility of the Dolphins adding Taylor.
His response (per the Miami Herald)?
“I’m not worried about another man coming in. I’m worried about perfecting my craft.”