Miami Dolphins: 6 Running backs to target in 2018 NFL Draft

2. Nick Chubb, Georgia

Nick Chubb picked up where Todd Gurley left off at Georgia. As a freshman, Chubb was unstoppable, earning All-American accolades. Unfortunately, a knee injury set him back the following year, but he fought back and returned to his old form.

Chubb is a thickly built, powerful runner who has just enough ability to make guys miss. There’s a smooth nature that exists in Chubb’s game that the Dolphins could use. In some ways, he’s very similar to a younger Frank Gore as it pertains to style. He doesn’t have the breakaway speed, but he can break off decent runs. He’ll go about his business almost under the radar, but could end up being the reason the team wins a particular game. Chubb doesn’t have the film that shows he’s an every-down back, but that’s no different than most backs coming out of UGA.

Still, Chubb’s value comes as a runner and the other aspects of his game can be worked on later, but early in the year. The Fins could feed him the ball 15-20 times per game, and that should be enough for him to make an impact. 

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1. Royce Freeman, Oregon

The first thing that stands out is Freeman’s frame. He’s a huge back and plays that way. He comes from an Oregon system that uses the inside zone running scheme, so the transition to the pros should go smoothly. For the Fins, he’d bring some much needed power. But his frame doesn’t hinder his ability to get skinny in order to fit between small creases.

In Gase’s only playoff appearance as a head coach, he used Ajayi as the featured back. Like Ajayi, Freeman can carry the load, and if given time, he could be great on third downs. With Gore and Drake, there’s no rush to have Freeman be a three-down back. Freeman is a lot like new New England Patriot Jeremy Hill in that he could be a the main guy because of his power and vision, but then be spelled by other backs.