Bleacher Report tabs Myles Gaskin a Dolphin with hottest seat in 2021
The conversation regarding the Miami Dolphins and “hot seats” often lands in one particular spot on the roster: the offensive backfield. For many, the Dolphins have pieced together a supporting cast for second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa that has the team ready to get a strong evaluation of what Tagovailoa is and can become with more seasoning as an NFL player. And for the latest outlet to explore the dynamics of Miami’s roster and who is feeling the heat, the landing spot is once again in the offensive backfield.
But this time with a different choice. Bleacher Report has listed their hottest seat for all 32 NFL franchises at this point in time and the selection for the Dolphins is actually not Tua Tagovailoa but rather starting running back Myles Gaskin.
“Running back became a favored projection for the Miami Dolphins with this year’s 18th overall draft pick. Instead, the organization chose Miami defensive end Jaelan Phillips. The Dolphins passed on the opportunity to select Najee Harris or Travis Etienne.
Miami likes what it has in Myles Gaskin, Malcom Brown and Salvon Ahmed. Gaskin led the team last season with 584 rushing yards.
“The big thing about Myles from at least last year and going from Year 1 to Year 2 for him was his growth in football and what he learned and how dependable he became for what we needed done,” co-offensive coordinator Eric Studesville told reporters. “… Myles is going to put his best foot forward and give you everything he has and that’s what gives him a chance.”
Overall, Miami finished 22nd in rushing offense. What happens when Gaskin doesn’t grow into a featured back? Questions about why the team passed on the position through the first six rounds will return.” —Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report
Sobleski is indeed correct that the decision to skip out on a running back has netted the Dolphins plenty of pressure on their incumbent starter. And if Gaskin is who the Dolphins seem to believe he is, he’ll be up to the task to answer the questions about his game and help the Dolphins’ offense continue becoming more efficient all around. Given the competition in the backfield, it seems Gaskin is destined to have control of the backfield so long as he’s healthy and ready to play.
