The Miami Dolphins are looking at options to replace Lamar Miller after the running back left for the Houston Texans in free agency. Reports have Dolphins looking into making a trade, and one avenue that the team should explore is Jamaal Charles with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Dolphins have Jay Ajayi on the roster along with Damien Williams, but the team would like more depth at the position. Miami let Miller go to the Texans and tried to sign CJ Anderson to an offer sheet, but the Broncos matched the deal to keep the running back. There are free agent options available, but a report from the Miami Herald has the Dolphins looking into trade options around the league.
Armando Salguero reports that league sources have said that the "Dolphins have had conversations with multiple teams about trading for a back." The Dolphins attempted to sign Anderson and also went after Chris Johnson in free agency, but both players remained with their teams. Miami is now looking at other options, including trades. Arian Foster is on the free agent market, but right now, the team is focused on looking at other players.
Dolphins head coach Adam Gase spoke about the running back situation at the NFL owners meetings. Gase said that the team wants to add more depth with Ajayi, saying that "the reason we were trying to do that is we're looking to having more than one guy" at the position. NFL.com writes that one player that the team could look at is Jamaal Charles, who is coming off of a serious injury for the Chiefs. Tevin Coleman and Tre Mason were also mentioned as potential targets by NFL.com.
"Options will present themselves. We just need to stay patient, whether it's through the draft or somebody gets cut free or there's somebody else out there that we need to take a look out. We'll just keep investigating that," Gase said. "I guess for me, I feel really comfortable with Jay (Ajayi). I saw a lot of good things on film last year. I'm fired up to get going with him. The problem is, we can't do anything until April 11th. But really, those two weeks are meetings and weightlifting. Really, that minicamp will be our first good look to see where we're at with our running backs."
Charles is an interesting option for Miami, even after the running back suffered an ACL injury last season. NFL.com writes that with the emergence of Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware for the Chiefs last season while Charles was injured, Kansas City could be willing to entertain offers for the running back.
Ware, West and Knile Davis together cost less than what Charles will cost next season ($6 million), and they are not coming off of their second major knee injury like Charles is. Charles has been one of the best running backs in the league during his career, but at 29, his best days for the Chiefs are likely behind him. Miami, on the other hand, wouldn't need Charles to be a star. Charles could be a secondary option with Ajayi, giving the team a great one-two punch at the position.
