Running Back committee could solve Miami Dolphins offensive problems in 2018
The Miami Dolphins will end the 2017 season with a losing record, and a big reason for that has been a lackluster offence.
Head Coach Adam Gase was hailed as the savior for the Dolphins last season, seeing the team navigate its way to a 10-6 record and reach the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
But things have been vastly different in 2017, and the Dolphins could see their season end with the South Florida team potentially falling to a dismal 6-10 record.
7-9 is the best possible outcome for Gase's team, with one last showdown against AFC East rivals the Buffalo Bills still to be played.
If the Dolphins hope to turn things around quickly, their attentions should turn to one of the top running backs available in the 2018 NFL Draft.
This season has seen the emergence of Kenyan Drake, who has been relied upon as the Dolphins' top back in recent weeks - performing at a higher level than previous starter Jay Ajayi was prior to his trade.
But while Drake has averaged 4.8 yards per attempt, for a total of 569 so far this season, he has not yet shown he can carry the load for the team across a 16-game season.
Prior to Week 13 of this season, Drake had attempted a maximum of nine rushes in the games he appeared in and his impact for the team has largely come in the past four games.
In games where he has rushed over 20 times, the Dolphins have picked up victories over the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots.
Since those two victories, Drake has attempted 16 and 13 rushes in losses to the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.
Under Gase, the Dolphins have been heavily reliant on the passing game and have suffered something disappointing losses along the way.
With players such as Penn State's Saquon Barkley, Georgia's Nick Chubb and even Alabama's Bo Scarborough all set to enter the draft next year, it may be time for the Dolphins to consider drafting a big-bodied power back that can compliment Drake's speed and tackle-breaking abilities.
The last time the Dolphins operated a running back committee, it came in the form of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown - who helped lead the team to the playoffs on the back of strong running play.
Since then, the Dolphins have struggled to carve an identity with their running game, seeing experiments with the likes of Reggie Bush, Lamar Miller and Jay Ajayi all end after short spells.
With the health of Ryan Tannehill a big question mark, and the likelihood of Jay Cutler playing under center again next season, the Dolphins must work to build an offensive identity with a strong backfield.
The team has some top receiver talent but is lacking greatly along the ground.
Having two running backs capable of carrying the load, easing the pressure off the team's quarterback, could make life much easier for the coaching staff and see the fortunes of the team turn around quickly.
