McDaniel Explains Running Back Decision — And Why He's Right
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Running backs Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook reportedly are being shopped this offseason, and players of that stature should interest — or at least intrigue — just about every team around the NFL.
But the Miami Dolphins were happy to run it back with the same group of running backs as they had last season, with head coach Mike McDaniel explaining at the owners meeting Monday the reason the team re-signed rushing leaders Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. as free agents this offseason.
“You take a look at the whole class and ultimately we had the opportunity to bring two of our strongest character contributors and, really, players we depend on in Raheem and Jeff," McDaniel said. "They're both I think above 4.7 yards per carry. And when I look at the tape I think there'd be a little different feeling if you know … I don't think … we didn't run the ball not because they didn't run the ball well. We didn't run the ball well in games that we were overly injured or some games I just didn't call enough runs.
"So when you look at it historically if you can get a runner 4.5-plus, they're doing something pretty good. I think we were able to get those two guys together, which is very important. And I see them as a big part of our team and just the fabric and who we are as human beings. They really contribute to that locker room is very exciting to get those guys and I honestly believe they're playing their best ball of their careers.”
MIAMI DOLPHINS' 2022 RUSHING STATISTICS WERE A BIT MISLEADING
It's easy to look at the NFL rankings and say the Dolphins ranked tied (with the Jets) for 25th in rushing in 2022, but we also have to consider they had the second-fewest rushing attempts in the league with 390 — only four more than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In terms of yards per attempt, the Dolphins were 19th at 4.32, which isn't great by any means but also not terrible.
And, as McDaniel pointed out, Mostert and Wilson did very well in that category.
In fact, they each averaged 4.9 yards per carry to finished tied for seventh in the NFL among running backs — Wilson averaged 4.7 yards for Miami after averaging 5.1 for the San Francisco 49ers until the Dolphins acquired him a trade.
For those wondering, Henry and Cook each averaged 4.4 yards per rushing attempt last season.
They just got the ball a lot more often than Mostert and Wilson.
That Mostert and Wilson didn't get more opportunities wasn't just about the fact they dealt with minor injuries at various times, it also had to do with the Dolphins' pass-happy offense.
DOLPHINS OFFENSE WILL NEVER BE RUN-HEAVY
And it's hard to complain about McDaniel focusing on the passing game when what makes the Dolphins offense stand out is its unmatched speed at wide receiver with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
But there were times — thinking third-and-1, in particular — when McDaniel maybe overdid it with throwing the ball in 2022 and he's smart enough to understand that and do the so-called market correction next season.
As long with Hill and Waddle keep getting open deep — and that doesn't necessarily mean over the top — the Dolphins offense never should become run-oriented, and that's the kind of offense in which Henry clearly thrives.
The truth is that while Mostert and Wilson might not have the star power or name recognition as Henry, Cook or many other running backs in the NFL, they are more than respectable complementary players for the Dolphins offense.
That's what McDaniel was explaining Monday morning and what the team's earlier actions said even louder.
