Fantasy Football 2013: Which Miami Dolphins running back should you draft?
By Bryan Rose
Last week, Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland dropped the four most hated words in fantasy football – running back by committee.
With running backs playing one of the most vital roles in standard fantasy football leagues, axing an already limited commodity sends fantasy players into a tizzy and it appears the Dolphins are more concerned with their real life results than your fantasy team.
What bastards.
Anyway, assuming the Dolphins do go with the dreaded running back by committee approach, is there a favorite between Daniel Thomas and Lamar Miller that you want to draft? Well, that’s probably going to depend on your league rules and scoring.
According to the Palm Beach Post, Miller is expected to be named the starter this season with Thomas playing a goal line role along with third downs:
"Lamar Miller will be the starter this season, but Daniel Thomas has been practicing well and will likely be the goal-line and third-down back. Miller said he wants to be an every-down back, and offensive coordinator Mike Sherman said recently that he could see Miller as a three-down guy. But Thomas is better in pass protection and is holding onto the ball in practice — fumbling was an issue for him in his first two seasons."
That’s all fine and dandy except it was Miller who received the goal line carry during the Fins most recent preseason game, not Thomas as anticipated.
Thomas did begin the game on the sidelines for the first two possessions before eventually coming in and alternating with Miller, who Thomas outplayed (at least statistically).
Frankly, neither option is exactly swelling in confidence though if you’re going to snag a Dolphins running back in your fantasy football draft, Miller is the guy to get as it appears Miami would prefer him to start. Of course, if you’re in an extremely heavy touchdown league, there’s nothing wrong with picking up Miller, assuming he does indeed get the goal line carries.
Neither player seems determined to separate themselves from the other and given the Dolphins desire to sit Miller in the starting chair, he’s your guy in standard leagues.