Approaching the 2020 NFL Draft many believed that the Dolphins would target a rookie running back but they sprung a surprise by trading pick 153 in the 5th round to the San Francisco 49ers for RB Matt Breida. In what is essentially a one-year rental (Breida signed his one-year, $3.259 million tender with the 49ers before being traded) the Dolphins appear to have gotten great value for their day 3 pick.
Breida, still only 25, played college football at Georgia Southern and signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Breida rushed for 623 yards on 123 attempts in the 2019 season. His 5.1 yards per carry last year dwarfed that of the Dolphins running backs.
What does Matt Breida bring to the table?
Matt Breida’s main asset is his speed. He was the fastest ball carrier in the NFL last season, reaching a speed of 22.3mph on an 83-yard touchdown run against the Cleveland Browns in Week 5. This is a feat he also achieved in the 2018 season when a 33-yard rush in Week 12 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reached a league-best speed of 22.09mph.
With quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick leading the team in rushing yards (243) and the Dolphins finishing last in the NFL in rushing yards (72.3 per game) in 2019, an upgrade at running back was needed. Breida will look to form a formidable partnership with Free Agent signing Jordan Howard, in what should result in a marked upgrade in rushing stats from last season.
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