Days away from the trade deadline, interest in Kenyan Drake has picked up. The Lions and Titans are two known suitors for the Dolphins’ contract-year running back, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports. “Several” teams have shown interest, however.
But Miami has not seen a strong offer yet, with Jackson adding the team wants at least a fourth-round pick for Drake. The best known proposal the Dolphins have received was a conditional sixth-round selection, per Jackson, with another team offering an undisclosed late 2021 choice.
The Dolphins received a fourth-rounder for Jay Ajayi before the 2017 deadline, but Drake’s value has undoubtedly plummeted because of the latest Dolphin edition’s status. Miami’s bottom-tier offensive line has struggled this season, and Drake is averaging a career-low 3.7 yards per carry. The former third-round pick posted 4.8- and 4.5-yard averages in 2017 and ’18, respectively. Drake, 25, has not rushed for 50 yards in a game this season, but he surpassed 1,000 yards from scrimmage in a part-time role last year and has just 333 carries under his belt.
Detroit jumps out as a potential destination. Having lost Kerryon Johnson to another injury, the Lions are down to sixth-round rookie Ty Johnson as their starter. Not out of contention, Detroit has Johnson, passing-down back J.D. McKissic and ex-Packers and Giants backups Tra Carson and Paul Perkins, respectively. This would make sense for Drake, and the Dolphins may be willing to gamble on a better offer coming early next week.
The Titans boast a stronger backfield, with Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis in the second year of their partnership. It’s less clear where Drake would fit in with Tennessee, which has Henry in a contract year as well. Both of those backs are healthy, set to play alongside ex-Dolphins starter Ryan Tannehill on Sunday.
Extension talks having stalled, and the Dolphins being in full-scale rebuilding mode, led to Drake becoming available. He is not especially interested in a long-term Dolphins pact, per Jackson. It still appears likely Miami will move him before Tuesday afternoon’s deadline. The Dolphins have used Mark Walton more often this season, and banking on a late-round compensatory pick may not be realistic for a team that is expected to be active on the 2020 free agent market.
Unless Drake can play QB or the titans are going wildcat I don’t see the reason they’d be interested unless they plan on dealing Lewis