Myles Gaskin 2022 Outlook
Former 49ers coordinator Mike McDaniels takes over as head coach in Miami with former Cardinal Chase Edmonds and former 49er Raheem Mostert signed at salaries commensurate with players who generally sit at the top of depth charts. The team also added former Patriots and Rams RB Sony Michel to the mix post draft. That being the case, Gaskin's role is far from clear. According to the Miami Herald, he will be on the roster when the season opens unless the Dolphins trade or surprisingly release him, which would be an option if he's beaten out in training camp. He's due $2.5 million this season, none guaranteed. The Dolphins would save $2.5 million against the cap if he's cut, with a dead cap hit of just less than $22,000. That's not enough financial incentive to significantly influence any roster decision, but he will need to win a job in August. But Gaskin's roster spot isn't totally secure (nor is Salvon Ahmed's), because the Dolphins continue to explore the running back market. They brought in former Patriots and Rams starter Sony Michel for a visit in May. That said, the 49ers have a long history of running backs rising up and producing unexpectedly. So whether it's Gaskin or Ahmed (whose contract makes it less likely he'll stick around than Gaskin), the depth chart here merits our attention.
Myles Gaskin 2021 Outlook
The feeling was the Dolphins would land one of the three top-tier running backs (Najee Harris, Travis Etienne or Javonte Williams) in April's NFL Draft. But that didn't happen after all three went off the board before the team's No. 36 pick. As a result, the team’s only backfield addition was seventh-round pick Gerrid Doaks. ... Gaskin took over the lead role last year, but he struggled to stay healthy for the full season. GM Chris Grier and coach Brian Flores praised Gaskin while noting the addition of veteran free agent Malcolm Brown and return of second-year back Salvon Ahmed to form a solid group. But if nothing else changes, Gaskin will be in position to lead the way again heading into the 2021 season. And that's worth something. As ESPN's Matthew Berry pointed out, Gaskin's 18.3 touches per game in 2020 were seventh most among RBs, his average of 3.9 red-zone touches per game was bested by only Dalvin Cook and Josh Jacobs, and his 97.2 scrimmage yards per game were ninth-most among running backs. "So, if he's the guy for Miami," Berry summed up, "he's an easy top-20 RB, and as of now, he's the guy." We're not quite that bullish, but it's within the range of possibilities.
