Dolphins can ill afford to make Kenyan Drake a mere backup in 2017

As expectations for Jay Ajayi continue to grow following his record-breaking 2016 campaign, there appears to be fewer opportunities for second year <a href="http://www.mediart360.com/ahmad-brooks-jersey-c-1_28.html">Ahmad Brooks Youth Jersey</a> running back Kenyan Drake.

Adam Gase has <a href="http://www.mediart360.com/bruce-ellington-jersey-c-1_59.html">Bruce Ellington Authentic Jersey</a> expressed his desire to increase Ajayi’s workload to 350 carries in 2017. The additional carries would be a near 35 percent increase from last season’s 260 carries. Ajayi is also a much improved pass catcher which means he’ll be relied upon on third down as well.

The Dolphins spent a third-round pick on <a href="http://www.mediart360.com/garry-gilliam-jersey-c-1_60.html">Garry Gilliam Authentic Jersey</a> Drake in the 2016 NFL draft, but Ajayi is firmly entrenched as the Dolphins’ starting running back.

Gase acknowledges that Drake and Ajayi have different skill sets. However, getting Drake to be a better overall running back is Gase’s primary objective.

“We got to be ready to go if … Jay [Ajayi], he takes a lot of hits. He’s basically our workhorse,” Gase said. “The rest of those guys have to be ready to go at the drop of the hat. They have to be able to do everything. For us to have two <a href="http://www.mediart360.com/joe-montana-jersey-c-1_27.html">Joe Montana Jersey</a> guys backing Jay up that do have a strength in the passing game for sure.

“But they are good runners. It’s more about getting <a href="http://www.zelslon.com/brandon-fusco-jersey-c-1_60.html">Brandon Fusco Womens Jersey</a> consistency and understanding the importance of every little detail. Sometimes when you’re a backup, you can lose that, and it takes a professional to do the job right consistently. Really, that’s his [Kenyan Drake’s] biggest challenge is being a consistent guy for us.”

It is evident that the Dolphins view Drake strictly as a backup and return <a href="http://www.creaselect.com/bill-bates-c-1_81.html">Bill Bates Jersey</a> specialist at this juncture, but his talent suggests he should be more involved in the offense. If the Dolphins are wise, they’ll find ways to get Ajayi and Drake in the game at the same time this season.

One way to get Drake in the game would be to allow him to be the fourth wide receiver in the offense and place him in the slot in 2×2 alignment. The Dolphins would also be <a href="http://www.k-malls.com/charles-tapper-c-1_47.html">Charles Tapper Womens Jersey</a> well served placing him in the backfield with Ajayi in a split back formation.

If Gase and offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen would like to get creative, they could also <a href="http://www.mbs-alive.com/benson-mayowa-c-2_7.html">Benson Mayowa Jersey</a> use a three-back formation featuring Drake and MarQueise Gray as the upbacks with Ajayi still in the game as the deep back.