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After he made the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2014, Damien Williams didn't see the ball much as a third-string running back. He turned his 47 touches into a ho-hum 307 yards from scrimmage, two fewer than quarterback Ryan Tannehill's rushing total.
That was last year.
During the Dolphins' joint practices with Panthers leading up to the teams' preseason game in the second week, Williams got plenty work with the first team. His biggest highlight was getting a "Way to go 34!" for keeping Tannehill safe from the Carolina pass rush, leading to a big throw from the quarterback.
He backed that up in the game with great red zone work as a runner and receiver. Williams first scored on a strong 1-yard run, then caught a pretty inside slant pass from Tannehill for an 11-yard touchdown.
It's indication of the versatility and value Williams can provide. Even with the limited sample size in 2014, Pro Football Focus rated Williams as the No. 11 running back in the entire league and well ahead of Miller in the passing game.
Part of the reason Williams went undrafted in 2014 was his dismissal from Oklahoma in November of his 2013 senior season for a violation of team rules. But the Sooner's pedigree is hard to ignore, and Williams credits his time in the program for helping make the grade in an NFL offense.
Miller and Williams have the same size, but Williams is the stronger, better-built back. Joe Philbin and the offensive coaches are already wary of MIller's frame as a workhorse — he never it 20 carries in a game last season. The fact that Miller is a free agent in 2016 should make them want to take a longer look at Williams, anyway.
Miller is the home-run hitter in the backfield with his blazing speed, but to keep him fresh and most effective, it would behoove the Dolphins to trust Williams in key situations, both on third down and inside the 20.
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-09-01/damien-williams-dolphins-oklahoma-sooners-fantasy-running-back-lamar-miller[/URL]
That was last year.
During the Dolphins' joint practices with Panthers leading up to the teams' preseason game in the second week, Williams got plenty work with the first team. His biggest highlight was getting a "Way to go 34!" for keeping Tannehill safe from the Carolina pass rush, leading to a big throw from the quarterback.
He backed that up in the game with great red zone work as a runner and receiver. Williams first scored on a strong 1-yard run, then caught a pretty inside slant pass from Tannehill for an 11-yard touchdown.
It's indication of the versatility and value Williams can provide. Even with the limited sample size in 2014, Pro Football Focus rated Williams as the No. 11 running back in the entire league and well ahead of Miller in the passing game.
Part of the reason Williams went undrafted in 2014 was his dismissal from Oklahoma in November of his 2013 senior season for a violation of team rules. But the Sooner's pedigree is hard to ignore, and Williams credits his time in the program for helping make the grade in an NFL offense.
Miller and Williams have the same size, but Williams is the stronger, better-built back. Joe Philbin and the offensive coaches are already wary of MIller's frame as a workhorse — he never it 20 carries in a game last season. The fact that Miller is a free agent in 2016 should make them want to take a longer look at Williams, anyway.
Miller is the home-run hitter in the backfield with his blazing speed, but to keep him fresh and most effective, it would behoove the Dolphins to trust Williams in key situations, both on third down and inside the 20.
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-09-01/damien-williams-dolphins-oklahoma-sooners-fantasy-running-back-lamar-miller[/URL]
