How will the Dolphins deploy their new-look backfield in 2025?
How will the Dolphins deploy their new-look backfield in 2025?
The Miami Dolphins are no strangers to running back committees throughout their history and they're turning the page to a new one in 2025 with De'Von Achane and Jaylen Wright leading the charge. In addition, there are two new runners in South Florida: veteran free agent Alexander Mattison and sixth-round rookie Ollie Gordon II.
After three seasons, the Dolphins cut ties with Raheem Mostert earlier this offseason which clears the way for Wright to see a lot more field time, possibly as a bulk-carry runner. Achane, who claimed the top spot in the backfield last season, could be utilized a lot more as a receiver this season to build on last year's past catching success. More of Achane at receiver would open the door for the second-year Wright to be more of a factor in 2024.
Achane caught 78 passes in 2024, and that number could have been much higher, if quarterback Tua Tagovailoa didn't miss significant time. In total last year, Achane averaged 4.5 receptions across the 2024 season, but in games Tagovailoa started, that mark was 6.1 catches.
Achane will still see plenty of rushing attempts, but his prowess as a pass catcher could give the Dolphins and head coach Mike McDaniel several creative personal options with both he and Wright on the field at the same time.
Wright finished his rookie season with 68 rushes for 249 yards, but judgement about the back should be withheld until he is given a substantial increase in work. While he averaged just 3.7 yards per attempt, Wright only had one game with more than 10 carries after Achane was forced to leave a Week 5 game with a concussion. Wright ran 13 times for 86 yards (6.6 yards per carry) in that win against the Patriots, showing signs he can handle a workload.
With Achane and Wright as the one-two punch, don't discount Gordon getting in the mix for quality touches. The 2023 Doak Walker Award winner regressed in his final collegiate season at Oklahoma State. But in the pro ranks, he has the potential to be a lead-back of the future, although he'll start his career specializing in spot scenarios.
Gordon could potentially help Miami improve on their short-yardage production. Behind the newly added Jonah Savaiinaea and James Daniels, Gordon could be a short-yardage back with the ability to be a pile-pusher while also adding viable receiving threat out of the backfield who recorded 80 receptions in college.
Mattison, who spent five seasons in Minnesota and one in Las Vegas, rushed for an average of 31.3 yards in his 89 career games with 15 rushing touchdowns. He has also added 136 receptions for 1,012 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. Mattison will have to prove that he's more worthy of touches than Gordon, though.
With fullback Alec Ingold also in the mix, there will likely be five players in the Dolphins' backfield. That versatile group should offer coaches plenty of scheme-diverse options this fall.
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