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Miami Dolphins invest in diverse running backs in three straight NFL Drafts: A breakdown
Look back at some best moments from the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay
A lot happened at Lambeau Field and around the Green Bay community during the 2025 NFL Draft. Take a look back at some of the highlights.
MIAMI GARDENS — It’s kind of funny how two people can have the exact same job title and description but do it in entirely different ways.
Consider the plight of Miami Dolphins running backs De’Von Achane and Ollie Gordon II.
Technically, they’re both running backs. But Gordon, the rookie, is four inches taller and 38 pounds heavier than Achane.
Thirty eight pounds!
Achane opened eyes in his 2023 rookie season with burst and speed and acceleration.
Whoosh!
Gordon, who slipped to the sixth round in the 2025 NFL Draft, wants to stiff-arm, barrel though and over you.
Wham!
“I’m a bruiser,’ Gordon said during the NFL Draft. “I’m going to run through you. I’m going to make you want to not tackle me. Late in games. And beginning of games.”
When players at a certain position come in various shapes and sizes, coaches will inevitably push back against weakness assumptions.
Yes, Achane is small. But he’s tough.
Yes, Gordon is powerful. But he’s agile, too.
Yes, Achane is a great receiver. But Gordon is better than you may realize, too.
We can insert the spring-time and summer-time quotes that haven’t been quoted yet here. But make no mistake, there will be quotes.
“I saw a lot of really good stuff,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said of Gordon’s film after the back was selected.
Ollie Gordon II: ‘I’m a bruiser.’
Specially, McDaniel saw a lot of really good stuff in 2023, when Gordon was named the best running back in college football and ran for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns.
“We feel optimistic that is the version that we’re going to improve upon moving forward,” McDaniel said, acknowledging 2024 was not as good for Gordon.
Gordon is 6-foot-1, 226 pounds.
Achane is 5-foot-9, 188 pounds.
The Dolphins have moved on from Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, two quality backs McDaniel also worked with in San Francisco.
Including 2024 draft pick Jaylen Wright, the Dolphins have hit on that position in three straight “NFL Annual Player Selection Meetings.”
That’s intentional.
McDaniel wants to re-establish the run game that went awry in 2024.
That’s why James Daniels and Jonah Savaiinaea were added to play guard and massive Patrick Paul was selected to succeed Pro Bowler Terron Armstead.
McDaniel figures to increase total runs. And he’s going to reward physicality.
Wright is sort of a hybrid of Achane and Gordon
He’s big and fast. This trio of youngsters is intriguing.
Achane is 23. Wright is 22. Gordon is 21.
Talk about a wave of youth.
If Gordon were Eddie George or Jonathan Taylor, Ollie Gordon would not have slipped to the sixth round. A DUI in the summer of 2024 surely did not help him.
But the upright running style and a battery of stiff arms are reminiscent, at least.
“Honestly, my mindset is me versus you, and I’m banking on me every time,” Gordon said. “I can’t sit here and lie to you. I’m banking on me every time.”
Miami Dolphins update: RB Ollie Gordon II selected in NFL Draft
Gordon will need to be all-in from Day 1 to come close to the impact Achane had a rookie. It’s a great competition in that room, with plenty of talent and depth.
Clearly Achane is projected to get the most touches.
But if Gordon can gain the coaches’ trust – he’s already known as a reliable pass-blocker – he has a chance at some meaningful rookie carries.
It’s best when each player knows their role.
Gordon, the rookie, seems to know his.
“You’re going to get out of my way,” Gordon said. “Or I’m going to run through you.”
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
The contact period for 2028 recruits officially opened on June 15th, and Miami has been active on the recruiting trail.
Now more than ever, recruiting players early matters, with several committing before taking their official visits in their senior season.
Miami has been high on 2028 running back Terriel Harmon for a while, and he discussed the Hurricanes with Miami Hurricanes on SI.
READ MORE: Miami Hurricanes’ 2027 Football Commitment Tracker
The Hurricanes contacted Harmon almost immediately after the contact period opened and got down to business with him.
“The running backs coach (Coach Merritt) hit me up, and we just talked about the leadership I am going to bring to Miami and the environment of Miami,” Harmon said.
Even before the contact period opened up, Harmon already had a sense of what Miami was like.
“They bring the energy,” Harmon continued. “I love the players like Javian Mallory, Malachi Toney, and Mark Fletcher.”
Mallory is an incoming freshman running back at Miami, and he played high school ball at West Boca. Harmon just transferred to the South Florida power. The two of them have a great connection, and Mallory is recruiting Harmon to join him in college.
“He’s been telling me that Miami is the place to be and that it is great,” Harmon said.
Even though it’s still early in his recruitment, the Hurricanes are still in a prime position for the local three-star running back.
“I’m still not sure where I will go to school, but Miami is for sure at the top,” Harmon finished.
More About the 2028 Class
The 2028 class will be crucial for the future of Miami. Arguably, the two best prospects of the past few years, Amir Sears and Bryson Wright, are right in the Hurricanes’ backyard, and the two could change the course of Hurricanes football if they come.
Overall, the 2028 class in Florida might be one of the best in any state ever. There is so much talent throughout the state, and Miami is looking to get a class that rivals this 2027 class, which is the top three in the country per Rivals.
Some other in-state prospects that the Hurricanes are targeting include Gabriel Player (four-star linebacker), Asher Ghioto (four-star defensive lineman), Antonio Thompson Jr. (four-star defensive back), and George Selvie (four-star offensive lineman), amongst a ton of others.
While Harmon is only a three-star now, it would not be surprising if he becomes a four-star by the end of his senior season.
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