NFL free agency is just over a month away, and now that the Miami Dolphins coaching staff has been introduced, they’ve begun preparations for what their roster will look like in 2022 and beyond.
The Dolphins are expected to have 28 free agents hit the market when the league year starts, including running back Phillip Lindsay.
Lindsay made waves when he entered the NFL in 2018 as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos. He made the Pro Bowl and rushed for 1,000 yards as a rookie. In the following two seasons, his production dropped, but he was still averaging 4.4 yards per carry.
In 2021, Denver rescinded the tag they originally placed on the restricted free agent, making him unrestricted. He signed with the Texans in a backfield that he shared with Mark Ingram and David Johnson.
After 10 games, Lindsay was waived by the Texans, having only rushed 50 times for 130 yards (2.6 yards per carry) and a touchdown and recording three receptions for 37 receiving yards and a touchdown. Miami claimed him, and he played in four games for the team, totaling 119 yards on 38 carries (3.1 yards per carry) and one reception for eight yards.
Miami and Houston had two of the worst offensive lines in football last season, so it’s not terribly surprising that Lindsay wasn’t able to do much in 2021. However, it was clear he was putting in the work after he signed with the Dolphins.
For 2022, Miami has just Myles Gaskin and Gerrid Doaks under contract with six backs, including Lindsay, scheduled to become free agents. New head coach Mike McDaniel’s offense relies heavily on the running game, so getting a good group in the building will be a priority.
At 27, Lindsay should still have a couple of good years left, and he provides some versatility that Miami could use. Of all the Dolphins’ free agent backs, he should find himself just behind Duke Johnson in terms of running back they should want to have back.
He may not be a lead back, but he could certainly help in a group.