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2026 NFL backfield

Miami Dolphins running backs

The current roster, the published replacement plan and the production behind each player’s role.

The published backfield plan

Published starter

Ollie Gordon II

Preferred handcuff

Kaytron Allen

Unsettled committee behind Ollie Gordon

Committee uncertainty: an absence could spread work across several backs.

View Ollie Gordon II’s handcuff breakdown

Week 7 analysis published .

The game covered by this analysis has started or finished. This is a record of that window, not a recommendation for the next game.

How the work could change

Miami has no running back on today's Week 7 inactive list, so Ollie Gordon II, Allen and Jaylen Wright are all dressed against the Jets. Allen, claimed off waivers Oct. 9 after De'Von Achane's season-ending ACL tear, is the listed No. 3 but scores ahead of Wright, whose role has collapsed - 14 carries for 28 yards and no targets in four appearances. That is a genuinely unresolved committee, so confidence stays low. Allen is free almost everywhere; he would need Gordon to miss time and would then have to beat out Wright for early-down work. Fact: both are dressed and Gordon leads the room. Projection: who inherits the carries.

No Dolphins running back is on the Week 7 inactive list; Jaylen Wright practised in full this week and is available despite two earlier limited sessions. De'Von Achane is on injured reserve with a torn ACL suffered in Week 3 and will not return this season, so redraft managers should move on while dynasty value holds after his offseason extension. Ollie Gordon II has been the clear lead back since. Kaytron Allen and Wright split the remaining scraps with no settled order between them.

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The full backfield depth chart

Every running back and fullback assigned to Miami Dolphins, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.

Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Tue, Oct 27, 2:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.

Miami Dolphins full running back depth chart
Feed orderPlayerScouting roleDraft investmentRoster status
RB1
Ollie Gordon IIPublished starter		Early-down runner2025 · Round 6 · Pick 179active
RB2
Jaylen Wright		Change-of-pace back2024 · Round 4 · Pick 120active
RB3
Kaytron AllenPublished handcuff		Early-down runner2026 · Round 6 · Pick 187active
RB4
De'Von Achane		Three-down back2023 · Round 3 · Pick 84injured reserve
FB1
DJ Herman		Fullback2026 · Undraftedactive
Unlisted
Carlos Washington Jr.		Role under reviewDraft history unavailableactive

Every back: role, upside and obstacles

The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.

RB1 · Early-down runner

Ollie Gordon II

Age 22 · 2 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment

Entrenched as the lead back: Rotoworld calls him Miami's clear RB1 since De'Von Achane's season-ending Week 3 knee injury, and the only other back in the room has 28 rushing yards and no targets all year. Big, physical runner who already owned short-yardage and goal-line work. The receiving role is the one part of the profile still unproven.

Scouting assessment saved Sat, Oct 24, 4:00 AM EDT.

Path to more work

He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2025 · Round 6 · Pick 179

Drafted by MIA; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 5 recorded games include 72 carries and 6 receptions on 8 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB2 · Change-of-pace back

Jaylen Wright

Age 23 · 3 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment

Expected to play Week 7 against the Jets despite two limited practices, but the role has collapsed: 14 carries for 28 scoreless yards and zero targets across four appearances. Ollie Gordon has been the clear RB1 since Achane's Week 3 knee injury, and Rotoworld says Wright is not needed in 12-team formats. Change-of-pace and kick-return value only.

Scouting assessment saved Sat, Oct 24, 4:00 AM EDT.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Ollie Gordon II. The dated board currently prefers Kaytron Allen for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Ollie Gordon II. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A change-of-pace role can create useful touches in a limited package. It does not automatically transfer to the starter’s workload; another back may fit the early-down or short-yardage assignment better.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2024 · Round 4 · Pick 120

Drafted by MIA; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 5 recorded games include 20 carries and 0 receptions on 1 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB3 · Early-down runner

Kaytron Allen

Age 23 · Rookie · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Team change: Washington waived him and Miami claimed him off waivers Oct. 9 (date-only report) after De'Von Achane's season-ending ACL tear. A 2026 sixth-rounder, he played all four Commanders games for 12 carries and 41 yards, mostly third-string plus special teams. Ollie Gordon II leads the Miami backfield; Allen is a depth add who could compete for touches, not a projected starter.

Scouting assessment saved Sun, Oct 11, 3:53 AM EDT. This assessment is older than 14 days or has an invalid date; current-role review is needed.

Path to more work

The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind Ollie Gordon II. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Ollie Gordon II, Jaylen Wright. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

An early-down profile offers a path to carries between the tackles. A receiving or protection specialist could still handle third downs, limiting a full-workload takeover.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2026 · Round 6 · Pick 187

Drafted by WAS; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 3 recorded games include 12 carries and 0 receptions on 0 targets. Receiving volume is not established by these records. Do not read that as proof he cannot catch or protect the quarterback.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB4 · Three-down back

De'Von Achane

Age 25 · 4 years of NFL experience · injured reserve

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment

Season over - torn ACL in Week 3, on IR, no 2026 return, so redraft managers should move on. Talent and dynasty value are untouched: a four-year, $64M extension this offseason after 1,350 rushing and 488 receiving yards with 12 TDs and a first Pro Bowl in 2025. He had 34 carries for 117 yards and 7 catches for 49 before the injury. Ollie Gordon II is the lead back in his place.

Scouting assessment saved Sun, Oct 18, 3:57 AM EDT.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Ollie Gordon II. The dated board currently prefers Kaytron Allen for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Ollie Gordon II, Jaylen Wright, Kaytron Allen. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The saved assessment describes a back suited to rushing and passing situations. That broader skill set could help him stay on the field when the starter is absent, though the team can still split the work.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2023 · Round 3 · Pick 84

Drafted by MIA; not necessarily his current team.

Day-two draft investment adds prospect context. His current role, availability and competition still decide whether he gets the next opportunity.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 3 recorded games include 34 carries and 7 receptions on 12 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

His roster feed status is injured reserve. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

FB1 · Fullback

DJ Herman

Age 24 · Rookie · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Rookie fullback and special-teams body. No role in the backfield rotation.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. This assessment is older than 14 days or has an invalid date; current-role review is needed. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Ollie Gordon II. The dated board currently prefers Kaytron Allen for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A fullback’s place on the chart represents a different assignment from the running-back queue. Blocking or situational touches do not make him the next lead runner when an RB is absent.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2026 · Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 2 recorded games include 0 carries and 1 receptions on 3 targets. The recorded opportunity includes passing-game work. It does not establish that he would inherit the rushing workload.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Carlos Washington Jr.

Age 27 · Rookie · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Signed by Miami on May 21, 2026 after Atlanta let him go, and promoted from the practice squad to the active roster Oct. 3 to add depth after De'Von Achane's season-ending ACL tear. Undrafted in 2023 with just two career games for Atlanta across 2024-25. A roster body behind Ollie Gordon II; no reported offensive role, and Miami claimed Kaytron Allen six days later.

Scouting assessment saved Sun, Oct 11, 3:53 AM EDT. This assessment is older than 14 days or has an invalid date; current-role review is needed.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Ollie Gordon II. The dated board currently prefers Kaytron Allen for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A clear role assessment is not available. Rushing experience, receiving usage and protection responsibilities need checking before treating him as a direct replacement.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

Draft history unavailable

A verified draft record is not available here. Missing data does not mean he went undrafted.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

The production behind the names

2026 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.

Player comparison for the 2026 regular season
PlayerGames with statsCarriesReceptionsTotal yardsPPR / game
Ollie Gordon II
572635313.1
Kaytron Allen
3120411.4
Carlos Washington Jr.
—————
De'Von Achane
33471768.2
DJ Herman
201181.4
Jaylen Wright
5200360.7
Ollie Gordon II: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 5 recorded games in 2026

Wk 23 touches
Wk 320 touches
Wk 411 touches
Wk 518 touches
Wk 726 touches
Kaytron Allen: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 3 recorded games in 2026

Wk 14 touches
Wk 25 touches
Wk 43 touches
De'Von Achane: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 3 recorded games in 2026

Wk 115 touches
Wk 223 touches
Wk 33 touches
DJ Herman: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 2 recorded games in 2026

Wk 21 touches
Wk 30 touches
Jaylen Wright: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 5 recorded games in 2026

Wk 11 touches
Wk 22 touches
Wk 45 touches
Wk 56 touches
Wk 76 touches

Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.

Evidence behind the backfield analysis

Compare your next bench move

A handcuff is an opportunity to hold, not a projected starter for this week. Compare the room with other teams, then choose a game window that fits your league’s rules.

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