The Dolphins’ offseason backfield makeover will continue post-draft. They are signing former Patriots first-round pick Sony Michel, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). It’s a one-year deal, Josina Anderson of USA Today tweets. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweets that the deal is worth $2.1MM.
Michel, who trekked to Miami and New Orleans for visits last week, will join Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert in a suddenly crowded Dolphins backfield. Miami signed both Edmonds and Mostert in March and will become the rare team to roster three running backs with at least four years’ experience. These additions should help a Miami ground attack that ranked 30th last season.
This will be Michel’s third NFL destination, and it comes on the heels of the ex-Georgia standout winning his second Super Bowl. Michel was far more effective during the Patriots’ 2018 playoff stretch (six rushing touchdowns, tied for second all time for a single postseason) than he was during the Rams’ four-game winter odyssey (26 carries, 80 yards), but he played a key role for Los Angeles during the regular season.
The Rams acquired Michel after Cam Akers sustained an Achilles tear, and the injury-prone ex-Patriot became the team’s go-to back after Darrell Henderson suffered a midseason injury. Michel posted two 120-plus-yard games in December, helping the Rams stay the course en route to their NFC West title. Michel faded into the background after Akers’ late-season return and received only two carries in Super Bowl LVI, but his 845 rushing yards led the Rams by a wide margin last season.
Although injuries plagued Michel for much of his Patriots run, he suited up for all 21 Rams games last season. The Dolphins’ previous two running back acquisitions have histories being injury-prone (Mostert) or as a change-of-pace back (Edmonds). Michel profiles as a between-the-tackles type who could provide some insurance. His arrival crowds a position group that also houses holdovers Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed. Provided everyone stays healthy through the preseason, Miami’s backfield will not have room for all five backs.
Crowded backfield? Not likely. Crowded trainer’s table? Quite likely.
None of these guys is all that much of an improvement over Gaskin without significant improvement to the line.
Bingo, no line and skill positions have little impact
Duke made that line look decent at the end of the year. I’m not sold on gaskin, at all.
If Michel remains healthy, I see him as most different from the others skillse- wise. He’s the only back of those five who spends most of his running between the tackles. Even though his numbers aren’t great per carry, he also does have the advantage of having produced in the postseason for championship teams.
Edmonds is used to being a platoon back (who can catch well), and Mostert has plenty of speed. Mister, however, is almost 30 if I remember correctly and Edmonds isn’t really a starter. None of these options really project as such, but none of are terrible either. I guess it’s a competition to see who can stay healthiest and differentiate themselves enough. Michel should bank on his power if he wants a large share of carries, because it seems like it’s his advantage here.
Please sign JC Tretter to play Center. Then these moves might workout