Raheem Mostert knew.
On Monday, the Miami Dolphins‘ Pro Bowl running back made the case for the franchise to keep longtime teammate Jeff Wilson Jr. on the active roster.
On Tuesday, Dolphins decision-makers made Mostert look smart, picking Wilson over Chris Brooks for the fourth and final RB spot on the team’s final 53.
Miami Dolphins Finalize Running Back Room
Wilson’s resume includes a 4.6 yards-per-carry average in his two seasons with the Dolphins.
He is probably the Dolphins’ toughest runner between the tackles, and Miami head coach Mike McDaniel would be wise to incorporate him more into the team’s short-yardage game.
The Dolphins in 2023 led the NFL in rushing efficiency (5.1 yards per carry) but were just 23rd in rushing success rate (63.2%) on third or fourth down with two yards or less to go. Wilson had just two such opportunities all season — and converted both.
There’s really no other Dolphins back that fits the short-yardage mold.
Mostert, De’Von Achane, and Jaylen Wright are burners.
Wilson is a bruiser.
Raheem Mostert makes the case for Jeff Wilson on the 53 pic.twitter.com/h7x1MKsKBx
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) August 26, 2024
“Jaylen Wright, he’s coming in,” Mostert said Monday. “At first, he was a little bit slower because he’s a rookie, right? So the pace of the game and understanding the concepts, but he’s picking things up.
“This last preseason game, I thought he did a good job. He could do better, of course, but he did a good job in his resilience to overcome a few things, and his mental aspect was definitely there, so I’m looking forward to that, for sure.”