The Miami Dolphins were unsuccessful in a series of attempts to sign or trade for established running backs last month.
Now that draft week is upon us, the team's brain trust claims to be comfortable with a backfield led by 2015 fifth-round pick Jay Ajayi.
Former interim coach Dan Campbell reportedly held a belief that Ajayi is a better back than 2015 starter Lamar Miller, who landed $14 million in guarantees from the Texans.
New coach Adam Gase is already an avowed Ajayi fan after one day of voluntary minicamp.
"I guess I never realized how shifty he was, and today was a great example," Gase said Tuesday, via The Palm Beach Post. "Just seeing him stick his foot in the ground and change direction, you didn't see him do that a lot in college.
"Just being able to see him move around, it was very impressive for me to see him in person. The way he cut in some of the run game schemes ... I mean, I'm really excited to see what we can do going forward."
Ajayi is penciled in as Gase's lead back after flashing a versatile skill set and light feet for a power runner in limited action last year. The Dolphins' courting of C.J. Anderson, Chris Johnson and Arian Foster suggests, however, that they harbor serious reservations about the former Boise State star's ability to carry the load over 16 games.
We are deep in the heart of smokescreen season.
Does Miami think highly enough of Ajayi's potential to pass on Ezekiel Elliott should the Ohio State stud slide to No. 13 overall in the draft?
We'll have to wait until Thursday night to find out.
