The Dolphins are bringing back their entire RB depth chart. After re-signing Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, the team has now re-signed running back Myles Gaskin, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). It’s a one-year deal.
Gaskin, a former seventh-round pick, has been given a handful of opportunities to seize the starting gig. He started 17 games for Miami between 2020 and 2021, but he only averaged 3.8 yards on his 315 rushing attempts. He did show some pass-catching ability during those two campaigns, hauling in 90 total receptions.
Despite an uncertain depth chart that also included Chase Edmonds at one point, Gaskin barely saw any time with a new coaching staff in place in 2022. He ultimately finished the season having appeared in four games, compiling 14 touches for 54 yards from scrimmage.
Mostert and Wilson will continue to lead the depth chart in 2023, but the duo has struggled to stay healthy in the past. Gaskin could see some competition for that RB3 spot from Salvon Ahmed, who has collected 532 rushing yards on 141 carries over the past three seasons.
The Dolphins made a pair of injured reserve transactions today, according to the team’s official Twitter account, activating former starting left guard Liam Eichenberg while placing running back Myles Gaskin on IR. A year ago, both of these transactions would have appeared to be major, but at this point in the season, the moves may only affect Miami’s depth heading into a possible postseason run.
Despite being selected early in the second round of the 2021 draft, Eichenberg has not seen the success of his early-round teammates drafted before him, starters wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, and safety Jevon Holland. Eichenberg became an immediate starter as a second-round rookie last season, starting 16 of 17 games at left tackle for Miami. The adjustment from Notre Dame to the NFL proved difficult for Eichenberg, who would grade out as the fourth-worst tackle in the league that year, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Miami tried to help Eichenberg out during his sophomore season, signing veteran Saints tackleTerron Armstead to a five-year deal and moving Eichenberg inside to left guard. While Eichenberg is no longer ranked at the very bottom of his position group (currently graded out as the 73rd-best guard out of 83), his PFF offensive grade has gotten worse since moving inside to guard. Eichenberg’s struggles came to a point when a knee injury in a Week 8 win over the Lions would land him on IR. Eichenberg’s knee injury was initially feared to be a season-ending MCL sprain, but further testing showed the potential for his return and, after proving fully healed, Eichenberg was designated for return on December 7, making tomorrow the last possible day for Miami to activate him before forcing him to sit out for the remainder of the season on IR.
In Eichenberg’s absence, the Dolphins started a second-year undrafted guard out of Middle Tennessee State, Robert Jones. Eichenberg’s return does not necessarily indicate a return to his starting role. The Dolphins may choose to go that route, but Jones has performed well in his seven starts in place of Eichenberg, even outperforming Eichenberg in the eyes of PFF. Jones currently grades out as the 39th-best guard in the NFL this season with grades far above Eichenberg’s. Head coach Mike McDaniel may choose to give Eichenberg a chance to earn his job back, or he may stick with what’s been working and count on Eichenberg as a depth piece as they push for a wild card spot in the playoffs.
Gaskin has taken quite a fall from grace after performing as Miami’s top running back for the past two seasons before 2022. It was assumed that Gaskin’s role would diminish when the team acquired running back Raheem Mostertin free agency back in March. What wasn’t expected was that college and professional teammate Salvon Ahmed would move ahead of Gaskin on the depth chart, playing in six more games than Gaskin. When Jeff Wilson was traded to Miami back in November, Gaskin became a depth piece in the running backs room.
It’s unclear exactly the reason that Gaskin is being placed on IR. Some reports claimed he missed last weekend’s game because of a knee injury, despite not appearing on the injury report, while other sources reported it was due to illness. Regardless, Gaskin will miss the remainder of the regular season, and since his team has five activations remaining, if his team can make it to the AFC championship, he will be eligible to return. Otherwise, Gaskin’s 2022 season has come to an end.
The Dolphins completely revamped their running backs depth chart this offseason, and that will naturally lead to some tough decisions when it comes to roster cuts. While we don’t have full clarity yet on how the RB room will shake out, we can pretty confidently say that at least two offseason acquisitions will make the roster. Chase Edmonds earned the biggest contract of the bunch, and he’s expected to carry over his versatile, pass-catching role from Arizona to Miami. Meanwhile, while Raheem Mostert has struggled to stay healthy recently, his familiarity with Mike McDaniel‘s system makes him a lock to make the squad.
That leaves only a handful of spots for more than a handful of RBs. As Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald recently wrote, the team could end up opting for cheaper options as they look to fill in the depth chart behind Edmonds and Mostert. That means one or both of Sony Michel and Myles Gaskin could earn their walking papers before the season begins.
Michel was the Dolphins’ third notable running back signing. Following a disappointing final season in New England, the former first-round pick bounced back in 2021 with the Rams. He ended up starting seven of his 17 games, collecting 973 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns on 229 touches. The veteran also has extensive postseason experience, having earned rings with the Patriots and the Rams (including a 2018 playoff run when he had six touchdowns). The thing is, Michel is due $2.1MM next season, with only $500K guaranteed. It’s a drop in the bucket when it comes to the whole roster, but it’s still a lofty salary for what could ultimately be a third running back.
Meanwhile, Gaskin is the primary holdover from last year’s squad. Over the past two seasons, Gaskin has collected 1,818 yards from scrimmage in 27 games (17 starts). He’s also shown that he can be productive in the passing game, hauling in 90 receptions over that same span. However, similar to Michel, Gaskin is probably making too much for an end-of-the-depth-chart RB. The 25-year-old is set to make $2.5MM next season, but the team could recoup all of that money if they let him go.
If a spot does open on the depth chart, it seems like Salvon Ahmed would likely earn the gig. Ahmed actually had a stint on McDaniel’s squad in 2020 before joining Miami. The former undrafted free agent has gotten into 18 games for the Dolphins over the past two years, collecting 646 yards on offense. The Dolphins’ other RB options, including Zaquandre White and Gerrid Doaks, profile more as practice squad players, which probably bodes well for one of Michel or Gaskin to make the 53-man roster.
For what it’s worth, Gaskin leads the Dolphins in carries this offseason, while Michel has contributed -2 rushing yards on four touches. The coaching staff will use the next week to determine how to proceed, but if preseason has been any indication, it seems like Michel may be the odd man out.
The move makes both players eligible to play against the Jets; Jackson adds that, “at least one, if not both, likely would play on Sunday”. Miami’s other options at the position include veterans Malcom Brownand Duke Johnson, as recent acquisition Phillip Lindsay remains in isolation due to COVID-19 protocol.
Gaskin has been the lead back for the Dolphins this season, posting 526 yards and three touchdowns on 154 carries, adding 45 catches for 217 yards and four touchdowns in the passing game. The 24-year-old’s 3.4 yards per carry have left the Dolphins wanting more from the ground game, though, leading to moves such as claiming Lindsay in November. Ahmed, meanwhile, has chipped in 266 total scrimmage yards in his second season in Miami.
Their return would be welcome against the Jets in particular, as New York has allowed just under 139 yards per game on the ground. That, coupled with the upcoming absence of standout rookie wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, should lend itself to plenty of rushing opportunities on Sunday.
December 13th, 2021 at 12:42pm CST by Zachary Links
Dolphins running back Phillip Lindsay has tested positive for COVID-19 (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). That completes an unfortunate hat trick for Miami as all three of their running backs — Lindsay, Myles Gaskin, and Salvon Ahmed — have tested positive in advance of Sunday’s game against the Jets.
All three players are vaccinated, according to Pelissero, giving them a chance to suit up on Sunday pending additional tests. If they’re unable to play, the Dolphins will likely turn to practice squad RBs Duke Johnson and Gerrid Doaks.
The Dolphins are still fighting for a playoff berth, albeit with slim odds. Stationed at 6-7, the Dolphins currently have a 10% chance at sneaking into a Wild Card spot, according to the stats at Five Thirty Eight. A win over the Jets would keep the ‘Fins afloat — a loss would effectively rule them out of the postseason.
Lindsay, 27, hooked on with the Dolphins earlier this month after being released by the Texans. In his Week 12 debut against the Panthers, the veteran ran for 42 yards off of 12 carries. Gaskin finished with more yards in a less efficient performance — 49 yards off of 16 totes.
One week after Myles Gaskin returned from IR, he experienced another setback that is set to sideline him again. The Dolphins placed their top running back on their reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday. Gaskin tested positive for the coronavirus, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter).
Gaskin joins Matt Breida and Jamal Perry as running backs on Miami’s coronavirus list, leaving the Dolphins shorthanded for their Week 14 game against the Chiefs. Gaskin’s positive test will knock him out for at least two Dolphin games.
The Dolphins have not activated Breida, whom they placed on the virus list last week, as of Saturday afternoon. The transactions deadline looms soon. Miami did, however, promote Elijah McGuire from its practice squad. McGuire will join tight end Chris Myarick and defensive end Tyshun Render in being elevated to the active roster.
Gaskin totaled 141 scrimmage yards last week, upon returning from an MCL sprain. The Dolphins are now extremely thin in the backfield, with Salvon Ahmed also out. Gaskin practiced in full Friday but will miss the pivotal AFC matchup. Miami’s backfield depth chart — as far as healthy players go — consists of DeAndre Washington, Patrick Laird and McGuire. The Dolphins acquired Washington from the Chiefs in a pre-deadline trade.
The Dolphins exited Week 12 with an injury-wrecked running back situation, but they will have their top 2020 rusher back in action this week.
Myles Gaskin will move from the Dolphins’ injured reserve list to their active roster. And based on Miami’s depth chart situation, the team will need him to avoid any setbacks.
Although the Dolphins will have Gaskin back, they are down Matt Breida, Salvon Ahmed and recent trade acquisition DeAndre Washington. Breida is on Miami’s reserve/COVID-19 list, while Washington and Ahmed are dealing with injuries. Both are doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Bengals. Gaskin and Patrick Laird reside as the healthy Dolphin backs.
Gaskin displayed promising form prior to going down with an MCL sprain a month ago. The 2019 seventh-round pick surged ahead of Breida and Jordan Howard in Miami’s pecking order, rendering the latter a healthy scratch. The Dolphins cut Howard soon after. Gaskin has produced 585 scrimmage yards and two TDs in seven games this season — well north of his rookie-year numbers — and stands to be a key cog in the Dolphins’ playoff pursuit.
November 5th, 2020 at 12:29pm CST by Zachary Links
The Dolphins will place running back Myles Gaskin on injured reserve, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Per league rules, Gaskin will be out for the next three games. On the plus side, head coach Brian Flores doesn’t anticipate that he’ll miss more than that.
The Dolphins anticipated that Gaskin would need time to recover from his sprained MCL, which is why they traded for Chiefs running backDeAndre Washington just prior to the deadline. Meanwhile, Matt Breida is still working his way through a hamstring injury, so Washington could see a larger-than-anticipated role against the Cardinals on Sunday. In a worst case scenario, Jordan Howard still figures to lead the way in touches, with support from Patrick Laird and Salvon Ahmed.
Gaskin, 23, has averaged 3.9 yards per carry through seven games. He’s been more of a contributor as a pass-catcher — so far, he’s registered 30 catches for 198 yards. With or without Gaskin, the Dolphins could use some improvement out of their ground game. The Dolphins have one of the league’s weakest rushing offenses with an average of just 98 yards per contest.
Gaskin, a former seventh-round pick, has been given a handful of opportunities to seize the starting gig. He started 17 games for Miami between 2020 and 2021, but he only averaged 3.8 yards on his 315 rushing attempts. He did show some pass-catching ability during those two campaigns, hauling in 90 total receptions.
