The Miami Dolphins lost starting RB Lamar Miller to the Houston Texans this offseason. The team tried to sign C.J. Anderson, among others, but failed to do so. Jay Ajayi, a fifth round pick from Boise State last year, is now in position to claim the starting job. He has the support of both QB Ryan Tannehill and C Mike Pouncey.
"I think Jay is going to step up," Tannehill told ESPN. "I told him as soon as we lost Lamar and C.J. Anderson got retained by Denver, 'Hey, you ready? You have to step up.' He looked at me square in the eye and said 'I'm ready, let's go.' So I think he’s excited about the opportunity to have a bigger role."
Ajayi slipped in the NFL Draft because of concerns about his knee, but he is talented. He played sparingly last year, picking up 187 yards on 49 carries in nine games. However, Pouncey has faith he'll be able to step up.
"It’s going to be tough," Pouncey said. "Lamar is a great football player. He’s going to have an outstanding career with the Texans. But we got Jay Ajayi, a guy we really believe in. Obviously, we would’ve signed Lamar back if we didn’t have so much trust in Jay. I think Jay is going to do a great job. He showed flashes of that last season of the player he can be."
Even if the Dolphins want to start Ajayi, they'll likely find another RB to pair with him. If the team can't sign anyone, a draft pick could very well be spent on the position.
Follow our Miami Dolphins team page for all the latest Dolphins news!
Back to the Miami Dolphins Newsfeed