The Miami Dolphins’ pre-draft grind continues this week; NFL prospects across the country are looking to make the most of their final opportunities to make positive impressions to teams with the workout process. One position the Dolphins are eyeing very closely? The running back position — a group that was so void of talent in 2019 that veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick ended the season as the team’s leading rusher.
There’s no shortage of backs who could feasibly step into the void for Miami and make a splash. But one of the biggest name brand prospects at the position, Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor, worked out yesterday and the Dolphins made sure to get a good view.
How good of a view? Miami’s running back coach, Eric Studesville was not only on hand for the workout, he was working Taylor through the drills.
Knowing how much Miami covets football intelligence, it makes sense to see their coaches working hands on with players to gauge how certain prospects will respond to certain prompts and directions. Miami’s ability to turn their team’s fortunes around will not just bank on drafting good players but also on the coaching staff’s ability to consistently get that fresh talent to respond to direction.
If Taylor aced his workout with Studesville yesterday, he may end up having left a lasting impression. Then again, perhaps the Dolphins strategically had Studesville run point on a workout for a back they aren’t especially interested in — all in the name of smoke screens. The Dolphins have been tight lipped this offseason and we should see plenty of surprises by the time the draft is all said and done.
Smokescreen or not, the Dolphins’ running back position will get an upgrade this offseason; there’s no way the team can run the same group of backs out there yet again in 2020.
