The bread and butter of Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel’s offense is the run game. Few coaches in the NFL can scheme a rushing attack the way he does, and he relies on a strong running back room to execute it. Third-year star De’Von Achane is the clear-cut starter, but who else will help shoulder the workload for Miami this season?
Miami’s Running Back Depth Chart
It’s no secret that McDaniel values versatile running backs with elite speed and reliable receiving options out of the backfield. That’s clear in his top two options, Achane and second-year back Jaylen Wright. However, Wright suffered an injury during joint practices with the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this month and underwent surgery, sidelining him for at least a few weeks.
The Dolphins also have rookie Ollie Gordon, whom they drafted in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and veteran Alexander Mattison, whom they signed this offseason.
However, Mattison is on injured reserve after suffering a season-ending neck injury in Miami’s preseason opener. With Wright and Mattison out, the Dolphins signed JaMycal Hasty and Jeff Wilson on August 28 to fill out their running back room.
Here’s everything you need to know about Achane, Wright, Gordon, Wilson, and Hasty.
Who is De’Von Achane?
Achane is entering his third season with the Miami Dolphins after being drafted by the team in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Since entering the league, he’s been one of the most versatile backs in football.
Not only is Achane incredibly fast, he posted a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the combine, but he’s also a smart runner with great vision and a dominant receiver out of the backfield.
In his first two seasons with the Dolphins, he’s rushed for 1,707 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding 105 catches for 789 yards and nine more scores.
De’Von Achane was nothing short of SPECTACULAR in his Season Debut ‼️💨 #FinsUp
– 22 Touches
– 233 Total Yards
– 4 TDs
– 10.6 Yards Per Touch pic.twitter.com/0JlSu2tu9l— Bobby Shouse (@B_Shousejr) September 24, 2023
Achane will be the lead back in McDaniel’s offense in 2025, and the team’s rushing success will rely heavily on his ability to keep producing at the level he has through his first two years.
Who is Jaylen Wright?
Much like Achane, Wright brings top-tier athleticism to the running back position. Miami drafted him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Tennessee, where he wrapped up his college career with 2,297 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. Wright also turned heads at the combine, running a 4.38-second 40-yard dash.
Wright spent his rookie year as the Dolphins’ third-string back behind Achane and Raheem Mostert, who has since joined the Las Vegas Raiders. He finished 2024 with 249 yards on 68 carries.
With Mostert gone, Wright had a clear path to more touches. However, following his surgery, he will need to reestablish himself once he’s fully healthy.
Who is Ollie Gordon?
While Gordon slid to the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, he’s still an extremely talented back, finishing his career as one of the best running backs in Oklahoma State history. He ranks 12th all-time in rushing yards and sixth in touchdowns for the program.
His 2023 season with the Cowboys was elite, as he rushed for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns, won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back, and placed seventh in Heisman voting.
Every Ollie Gordon II Touchdown from 2023 (21 rushing 1 receiving) #NFLDraft2025 pic.twitter.com/IImWjJZfr2
— Ray G (@RayGQue) February 21, 2025
His production dipped in his final year to 880 yards and 13 scores, but he’s already impressed in Miami’s preseason, putting up 126 yards and a touchdown.
Gordon is a physical runner who thrives on breaking tackles and fighting through contact. Based on his preseason showing and with Wright’s injury, he has a real chance to carve out a role in McDaniel’s offense and see plenty of touches this year.
Who is Jeff Wilson?
Wilson has deep ties to McDaniel, having been with the coach since his rookie season in 2018, when he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Francisco 49ers, where McDaniel served as the run game coordinator.
Wilson was released by the Dolphins after playing with the team in 2024. He signed with the 49ers as a free agent but was cut ahead of the 53-man roster deadline on August 26.
Following his release, McDaniel signed him back to the Dolphins’ practice squad, and he’ll be elevated to the full-time roster until Wright returns from injury.
Who is JaMycal Hasty?
Much like Wilson, Hasty was signed to Miami’s practice squad following Wright’s surgery. He acts as an insurance policy for the Dolphins. If anything happens to Achane or Gordon while Wright is sidelined, Hasty will be elevated from the practice squad.
Hasty is a veteran who went undrafted in 2020 and signed with the 49ers, where he also played under McDaniel. In addition to San Francisco, Hasty has made stops in Jacksonville and New England.
