The Miami Dolphins were rumored to have interest in Dalvin Cook, who ultimately signed with the division-rival Jets. Here are a few contingency plans worth exploring.
The Miami Dolphins want to make the leap to contention. One perceived area of weakness on the roster is running back, where veterans Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. are expected to lead the way in 2023. The Dolphins were interested in free agent Dalvin Cook, but he spurned them for the division-rival New York Jets.
Now, the Dolphins must either make peace with the current RB depth chart or seek another veteran addition before the season begins. It could ultimately come down to the franchise's confidence in third-round pick De'Von Achane, who rushed 14 times in Miami's preseason opener against Atlanta.
The Dolphins lean heavily on Tua Tagovailoa and the passing game, but a potent ground attack is essential for any contender. No offense can be truly elite without balance and the Dolphins need short-yard playmakers to set the table for Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the outside.
These RBs in particular should be of interest to the Dolphins as the team looks to finalize its roster ahead of opening day.
NFL Rumors: Miami Dolphins should sign Rex Burkhead
Rex Burkhead is on the tail end of his career at 33 years old, but he still appeared in 16 of 17 games for the Texans last season. He only accrued 26 rush attempts, but he set a career-high in receptions (37) on 51 targets. The veteran averaged 5.5 yards per reception.
That would be his primary utility in Miami. Burkhead would occupy the third or fourth spot on the depth chart, but he's a grizzled vet with pass-catching ability who can produce on third downs. Letting Burkhead cut and slant across the middle of the field while Hill and Waddle book it up the sideline could prove fruitful. Tagovailoa needs pressure-relief valves near the line of scrimmage. That's Burkhead.
On the surface, this wouldn't really move the needle much for a Dolphins team looking to keep pace with New York and Buffalo in the AFC East. Burkhead averaged only 3.1 yards per carry with Houston last season and there's a reason he's still unsigned, even if the stingy RB market is a partial factor.
Even so, depth is important for any aspiring contender. Burkhead has a niche skill set that would allow him to carve out touches alongside and behind Miami's lead backs, all while bringing nearly a decade of NFL experience to the locker room.
NFL Rumors: Miami Dolphins should sign Leonard Fournette
Leonard Fournette started nine of 16 appearances for Tampa Bay last season. The former No. 4 pick has spent the last three years lining up behind Tom Brady in the Buccaneers' backfield. Now he's looking for a new home. The Dolphins are right down the coast and could offer Fournette an appealing opportunity to carve out significant touches.
The 28-year-old has reached an inflection point in his career. Fournette has always been reliant on volume, which means there's a lot of mileage on his body. He has never been the most efficient runner, but his 3.5 yards per carry last season was a concerning low point. He will need to adjust his approach and embrace a timeshare.
Miami has room to let Fournette get touches at the goal line and on first and second down, where he traditionally shines. That said, Fournette has made strides in recent years as a pass catcher. He caught 73 of 83 targets for a career-high 523 yards through the air last season, averaging 7.2 yards per catch. Fournette is unlikely to bump Mostert or Wilson out of regular touches, but his pass-catching ability does make a three-man timeshare more logistically feasible.
The Dolphins won't furnish Fournette with a great offensive line, but Fournette has his share of experience operating behind shoddy o-lines. He's a burly and physical runner who has made a living fighting through contact and making something out of nothing. He's also a great veteran to have around Achane and Miami's younger players. Fournette won the Super Bowl with Tampa in 2021 and knows what it takes to compete at the highest level.
NFL Rumors: Miami Dolphins should sign Kareem Hunt
Kareem Hunt began his career with a bang. He led the NFL in rushing as a rookie, accumulating 1,327 yards on the ground with Kansas City in 2017. After two productive years with the Chiefs, Hunt made his way to Cleveland. Hunt's role changed with the Browns, who slotted him behind star rusher Nick Chubb.
Hunt has now spent the bulk of his career in the No. 2 role. And make no mistake, he has been a tremendous No. 2. He became a fantasy football icon because of his knack for siphoning touchdowns away from Chubb. In 2020, he stockpiled 1,145 yards from scrimmage and found pay dirt 11 times. Hunt is a versatile weapon, capable of gunning it up the middle or roasting the defense as a pass catcher.
The Dolphins would no doubt appreciate Hunt's multi-faceted skill set. He's easily the best back on the market, and the rusher who can most immediately challenge Mostert and Wilson for the top spot on Miami's depth chart. It's going to be a timeshare either way, but there's a world in which Hunt is the most explosive playmaker in the Dolphins' backfield.
That said, there are red flags too. Hunt averaged 3.8 yards per carry last season, the worst mark of his career. His touches plummeted compared to career norms and he conceded more airspace to Chubb than ever before. The Browns were dealing with Hunt's unhappiness and complex roster decisions, but the 28-year-old has mileage on his knees and injuries on his ledger. The NFL marketplace is trending away from older backs. There's a reason Hunt hasn't been scooped up on a lucrative deal.
Miami should absolutely get into the Hunt chase. He has visited with the Saints, Vikings, and Colts, so expect a decision sooner than later. With Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook off the market, Hunt is next in line. The Dolphins can't expect Hunt in prime form, but there is something to the idea of Hunt operating opposite Mostert and Wilson in a three-man rotation.