Miami Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake runs for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half last Saturday in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
DAVIE — Kenyan Drake leads the Miami Dolphins with 5.8 yards per carry and that would lead the NFL if he had enough qualifying carries.
When Drake was told he had one game left to reach the required total, he asked how many carries he needed.
“Maybe fifty eight?” a reporter responded.
It’s actually 71, which Drake won’t reach no matter how much Jay Ajayi and his shoulder rest on Sunday.
But what Drake has done in limited rookie season touches is impressive.
Ajayi has 29 carries, 9 catches, 12 kickoff returns and… 3 touchdowns.
That’s a really good explosive-play ratio and that’s what Drake does best.
Against Buffalo, Drake had a 45-yard touchdown run and a key 39-yard kickoff return to set up the game-tying fourth-quarter field goal.
“He ends up with seven plays but two of them are big plays,” Dolphins offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen said. “That’s a great characteristic to have. That big play per snap is huge. That’s a huge ratio and he’s cut out the critical errors and he’s been really good.”
Drake’s speed and explosiveness is a fantastic compliment to Ajayi’s agressiveness and toughness.
