The Miami Dolphins went into the NFL Draft with holes at practically every position. Perhaps the only position on the roster the team appeared to be set at was at running back, as the team currently features Pro Bowl talent De’Von Achane, fresh off the best season of his career in which he totaled over 1,800 scrimmage yards and led the NFL in yards per carry.
Despite this, the Dolphins still addressed the position with one of their free agent signings once the draft concluded. According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, the Miami Dolphins signed Oregon State running back Anthony Hankerson.
Miami Dolphins Sign Running Back
Hankerson, who spent the final two years of his college football career at Oregon State, totaled over 2,000 rushing yards during those two seasons as he led all independent teams in carries, even more than third-overall pick Jeremiyah Love.
Regarding Hankerson’s production, Trey Daubert of Vendetta Sports Media wrote:
“The last two years at Oregon State is worth talking about. Hankerson was the bellcow and unquestioned starter with the Beavers. Over the last two years, we’re talking 479 carries, rushing for 2,168 yards (4.5 YPC) and 24 touchdowns. Also, lump in 49 receptions for 274 yards through the air too.
Have a few notes on Hankerson at the top in the stock report section. It was kinda like watching a smaller (in the thickness department) less talented version of Damien Martinez. Didn’t run as hard, but caught the ball better, and was maybe even a tick faster. Of course, the odd part of all of this is that Oregon State is such a mess. They went through coaching turmoil, and they’re not even in a conference. Their games were basically unwatchable, and the level of competition was all over the place. He’s not as big as Martinez, but he fights for extra yardage and can be shifty.”
Miami Dolphins Running Backs
As an undrafted free agent, Hankerson’s signing does not equal a massive investment from the Dolphins. Miami has used a large number of resources at the position as the team has used draft picks on De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, and Ollie Gordon.
All three of those names appear poised to be ahead of Hankerson on the team’s depth chart. However, the status of De’Von Achane remains up in the air as the Pro Bowl running back seeks a contract extension with the team. Fortunately for Dolphins fans, it appears that Achane will not be on the move as general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan stated he was not available for trade.
Regarding Achane’s status with the team, Sullivan said, “He is not available for trade. Things are going good. We’ve had some positive conversations over the last couple of days, trending in the right direction. He’s obviously very important to what we’re doing, and it’s all part of it. It’s part of professional sports. We’ll get where we need to be one way or the other, but yeah, things are trending in the right direction.”
Achane is Miami’s most dynamic playmaker on offense, and losing him would be a massive blow to an already depleted team, even with this latest addition.
Dolphins Add 2,000-yard RB Amid De’Von Achane Contract Talks