Sophomore RB study, part 1: Breakout candidates

[DKphin]

[h=3]Jay Ajayi, Miami Dolphins[/h]
2015 stats: 49 rush attempts | 187 rush yards | 1 rush touchdown | 7 receptions | 90 receiving yards | 35.70 fantasy points
Some thought that the Miami backfield would be a committee last year between Lamar Miller and fifth-round rookie out of Boise State, Jay Ajayi. That was not the case since Ajayi suffered a cracked rib in Miami's final preseason game and didn't see a single snap until Week 9. When Ajayi did make it back to the gridiron, he swiped a few carries during the second half of the regular season but nothing significant enough to make a difference from a fantasy perspective. The rookie collected fewer than 10 rush attempts in each of the nine games he played, averaging just 5.2 attempts per game.
It's too small of a sample size for us to conclude much from a statistical standpoint (especially considering the sorry state of Miami's offense last year) but at least his limited playing time provided us with some film to study on him heading into his second year.
On tape, Ajayi displayed great balance gaining valuable yards after contact, and ran with conviction and toughness. Perhaps the best example of his resilient running style came in Week 15 on his only touchdown run as a rookie. Ajayi received a handoff as he planted his feet, changed direction just in time to elude a would-be tackler, used a spin-move to shed another sure tackle and used his momentum to stumble into the end zone for the score. It was an impressive run to say the least, and he sprinkled in similarly notable carries throughout the latter part of 2015. He's not the fastest guy out there (4.57 40-yard dash), but he has enough speed to get around the corner on outside runs and is strong enough to plow through defenders when running between the tackles, too.
Ajayi fell in the draft because of health issues with his knee coming out of college, but since that is more of a long-term issue, it shouldn't be of any concern in terms of his value in redraft leagues this season. According to new Dolphins head coach Adam Gase, Ajayi has already separated himself from the rest of the backs on Miami's roster which is not really a shocker considering the rest of the team's running back depth chart.

http://www.nfl.com/fantasyfootball/...sophomore-rb-study-part-1-breakout-candidates

 

[miamiron]

 

[VBCheeseGrater]

He could be a steal really. Low current value, potential to be main back, splitting less carries than the average 2016 running back. Healthy offensive line. He's set up for success, now he just has to do his part. It certainly helps that Gase is giving him the chance to be the guy rather than keeping everyone wondering where they stand.

 

[Fintastic2124]

I hope our backs can be more than serviceable. I trust Gase to know what he's doing.

 

[Tannchise]

they key to the run game? run against the damn division

 

[Fins1971]

they key to the run game? run against the damn division

Very true.

We only had 392 rushing yards against the division last year in the 6 games. 65 yards per game rushing isn't going to cut it.

 

[DuderinoN703]

Team still needs depth at the RB position. I like Ajayi but if he gets hurt Miami is ****ed.

 

[tay0365]

Team still needs depth at the RB position. I like Ajayi but if he gets hurt Miami is ****ed.

I agree, but then again, we still really don't know what we have with Drake, other then he could be made of glass.

Hoping hard the injury prone thinking is way off, and his rarely used to unused abilities while with Alabama end up being plentiful.:unsure:

 

[DuderinoN703]

I agree, but then again, we still really don't know what we have with Drake, other then he could be made of glass.

Hoping hard the injury prone thinking is way off, and his rarely used to unused abilities while with Alabama end up being plentiful.:unsure:

True. I'm afraid of the unknown especially when it comes to players that aren't top prospects.