Pro Football Network made a surprising and exciting addition to the staff this past weekend in former ESPN NFL Analyst, Matt Williamson. And with that news, Mr. Williamson dove headfirst into his first piece for PFN, ranking the top 25 NFL running backs. From the Dolphins’ perspective, the rankings were a disappointing and telling criticism on the outside view of the team’s RB situation entering the 2020 NFL season.
The team ranked dead last in rushing yards per game and rushing yardage in 2019. However, they have taken steps to correct that for 2020. Former starter Kalen Ballage struggled to the tune of 1.8 yards-per-carry after the team decided to move on from Kenyan Drake. This offseason, Miami signed Philadelphia Eagles free agent rusher Jordan Howard and traded for former San Francisco speedster, Matt Breida. Despite those additions, it is clear there is work to be done in the eyes of those around the NFL.
Below, I will look at the state of the Dolphins’ RB room heading into the 2020 campaign and figure out what these two young RB’s need to do to earn some respect and make an appearance on future top 25 lists.
Jordan Howard is the definition of production and efficiency in this league
When it comes to value at the running back position, Jordan Howard provides that in spades for any NFL team. Since 2016, Howard ranks behind only Ezekiel Elliott and Todd Gurley in total rushing yards (3,895). Despite that, however, Howard is set to suit up in 2020 for his third team in as many years.
Related l How Jordan Howard Fits into the Dolphins RB room
Howard enjoyed his least productive season in 2019, rushing for only 525 yards and six touchdowns. Before last season, Howard enjoyed three straight seasons of 900+ yards and at least seven total scores. He rushed for over 1,100 yards twice as a member of the Chicago Bears. Howard has never topped 29 catches in a season but could get the chance to prove his worth in that area as a potential starter in Miami.
How can Howard make an appearance in 2020 RB Rankings for the Dolphins?
The former Hoosier is an extremely undervalued and underappreciated runner in this league, and this makes him a sleeper for Miami this coming season. After signing a two-year contract worth over $10 million, Howard should open the season as the starter for the Dolphins. He is a patient and powerful runner than consistently falls forward to gain extra yards. Howard is also being looked at as the top choice for goal-line work in 2020, per Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post.
That fact alone should garner Howard some fantasy consideration, as well as respect around the league. He’s only 25 years old and looks healthy again after suffering through a shoulder injury for much of the 2019 season. There is still a decent amount of upside and reason for optimism when looking at Howard’s game and his fit with the Dolphins.
Along with the improvements Miami made on the offensive line this off-season, the running game should be improved dramatically. He’s a sneaky bet for double-digit touchdowns for the Dolphins in 2020, and that number should place Howard in the top 25 RB rankings mix next season.
Matt Breida is a spark plug that is ready to ignite this Miami offense
PFN’s own Joshua Houtz recently discussed the value of Miami’s RBs from a fantasy perspective this season, where he compared Breida to former Dolphins’ RB Reggie Bush. Houtz argues that Breida may be the favorite for touches and could also be a better fit in Miami and Chan Gailey’s offense. This belief is because Breida has “the big-play ability” that Howard and others lack. If he capitalizes on that ability for the Dolphins in 2020, it should earn Breida some love in the next batch of RB rankings.
Related | Breida, Howard, Laird: Who is the favorite in Miami’s backfield?
There is plenty of excitement around Breida’s arrival in Miami, and he should be able to provide some big plays as long as he can remain healthy. He suffered a slightly torn pectoral before the 2019 season and dealt with some ankle issues during the season. However, Breida is sturdy and has often played through discomfort for the San Francisco 49ers.
He led his former team with 814 rushing yards in 2018 and three touchdowns. Breida finished second behind only tight end George Kittle in the San Francisco offense, with 1,075 yards from scrimmage.
How can Breida make an appearance in 2020 RB Rankings for the Dolphins?
Breida’s explosiveness is enough reason to be excited about his prospects in 2020. He has routinely flashed that explosiveness when on the field and may be the fastest player in the NFL.
That speed should earn him a big chunk of the workload in Miami this season. That will remain true regardless of his status as a backup or starter for Miami. Lucas Ellinas recently made a case for Breida as the starting RB for the Dolphins in 2020. Ellinas offers that Breida is “younger and showed higher peak performances last season than his new teammate” as reasons for being the starter over Howard in 2020.
Breida’s former teammate, Tevin Coleman, made this list for San Francisco at 25 overall. While Breida does not have the same touchdown and goal-line prowess as Coleman, one could argue he is more talented and explosive and could prove to be the better runner with a larger body of work.
The 2020 season will be big for both Howard and Breida, as they look to prove all doubters wrong and carry this Dolphins offense to the top of the AFC East.