Lo-Fi’s Lowdown: Is the Dolphins’ Running Back Room Settled?

We are entering the last week of the preseason, and the Miami Dolphins once again brought in another running back, this time in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, sending Tutu Atwell back to his former team for Jarquez Hunter.

The depth chart remains De’Von Achane RB1, Jaylen Wright RB2, Ollie Gordon II RB3, Carlos Washington Jr. RB4, and Donovan Edwards RB5. Carlos Washington Jr. was already pushing for a roster spot with a good camp and preseason.

One would think more assets would be acquired at a position other than running back, but here we are, a couple of days removed from signing Coleman Bennett, a versatile running back with kick-return and wide receiver experience. With reports of Ollie Gordon and Donovan Edwards not practicing, Wednesday’s signing had the look of a so-called nothing burger.

Then, a day later, the Tutu Atwell trade brings in Jarquez Hunter, a 5-foot-10, 211-pound, workhorse-built running back with 4.44 speed. You start to wonder: Is the Dolphins’ brass opening the door for a surprise cut or trade?

In what was said to be a joke, Hafley said on “The Rich Eisen Show,” “I just gave Achane a heads-up this morning, and I told him, ‘You better be in good shape.’” He added, “After you touch the ball 40, 45 times, I might have to pick you up and carry you back into the locker room.”

It takes on a different tone when you look at the recent signings. Is there talent in the running back room that is not living up to Hafley’s tough, physical culture?

Jarquez Hunter was not exactly at the bottom of Los Angeles’ pecking order. He was competing for a spot on the 53-man roster and was a fourth-round pick of the Rams in 2025. Hunter is coming off a solid preseason performance against the Saints, getting 12 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown.

Sure, the Rams have a loaded running back room, some would argue, but with Ollie Gordon’s up-and-down camp, there might be more to this signing. Hafley seems to have a type at running back, and they have explosive-play ability. Among FBS running backs with at least 150 carries in 2024, Jarquez Hunter posted the second-highest explosive-run rate, with explosive runs defined as gains of 10 or more yards.

The Dolphins might wait to see what they have in the two new running back signings before making any surprise move, or these guys are simply here to help shore up our special teams and take an RB4 or RB5 spot.

One thing is clear: We now have eight running backs in our room if we include D.J. Herman, and our 53-man roster might be looking different than we projected just days ago. I suggest holding onto the ball this week against Atlanta because someone might fumble their opportunity to stay in Miami.

Jarquez Hunter, a welcome surprise trade, you are officially on Lo-Fi’s watch list.