Ollie Gordon II has gone from fill-in to force for the Miami Dolphins, and the change happened fast.
Miami came into 2026 with a clear idea of what it wanted on offense: a punishing ground game backed by a passing attack that could play off it. De’Von Achane had been extended this offseason, rookie guard Kadyn Proctor was added to help bully people up front, and the plan fit what new head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan seemed to be building.
Through most of the year, that vision has been there. The Week 7 win over the New York Jets was the cleanest example so far.
Then Achane tore his ACL in Week 3, and the offense’s running game shifted onto Gordon’s shoulders.
The second-year back had little momentum to work with after a rough rookie year and a slow start to his sophomore season. Over the last three games, though, he has ripped off 291 yards on 52 carries, good for 5.6 yards per attempt. Only Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker has been better over that stretch.
At this point, Gordon is no longer just standing in for Achane. He’s making real plays for Miami.
That matters because the Dolphins entered 2026 light on proven offensive firepower. Losing Achane could have easily blown up their ability to stay on schedule and move the ball.
Instead, Gordon has helped steady the whole operation. Since he took over as the lead back in Week 4, Miami has owned the No. 1 rushing offense in Expected Points Added (EPA) per play, according to Sumer Sports.
Malik Willis has been a big part of that too, but Gordon’s surge has outpaced expectations.
It’s also hard not to look ahead. While fans won’t get the full version of it this season, Gordon’s breakout could eventually give Miami a nasty lightning-and-thunder pairing with Achane in 2027. That’s the kind of combo that becomes even more dangerous if the offensive line keeps improving.
And there’s another layer here: just because Hafley was willing to feed Gordon as much as he could handle this year doesn’t mean that should be the long-term answer for a runner under 200 pounds. Gordon’s emergence gives the Dolphins a much better chance to preserve Achane instead of wearing him down. For a team trying to rebuild and stay competitive, that’s a major development.
In Other News...
Dolphins Edge Rush Question Just Got Even More Telling
The Dolphins made another small but revealing move along the edge, claiming defensive end Jamree Kromah off waivers and opening a roster spot by parting with Robert Beal Jr. Kromah has already bounced through stops with the Bears and Patriots, and now gets a chance to see if he can carve out a place in Miamis front after the team decided to make room for him.
Beals exit adds another layer to a position group that has been under the microscope all season. He came to Miami this offseason after spending time with the 49ers, but the Dolphins moved on as they continue sorting through their edge-rush depth and trying to find the right combination on the outside. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins May Be Much More Protective Of Key Veterans Than Expected
Around the league, the trade market is starting to heat up as teams like the Colts, Titans and Chargers make moves or prepare to do so before the Nov. 10 deadline. Miami, even with its disappointing record, does not appear eager to join the sell-off. The Dolphins have taken a more guarded approach than some expected, treating a few established players as part of the solution rather than pieces to be flipped for future assets.
That stance says a lot about how Miami views the next stage of its roster build. Instead of stripping the locker room down and starting over, the Dolphins seem intent on keeping certain veterans in place while they sort out the bigger picture. There is still deadline pressure in the air, of course, and the possibility of movement remains, but the front offices early posture suggests it will be selective rather than aggressive as the clock winds down. [Read more 🡒]
Caleb Douglas Is Giving Dolphins Fans Real Hope For This Offense
Caleb Douglas is starting to look like more than a promising rookie receiver for Miami. Even with three games missed because of injury, he still leads the team in receiving yards per game, and the buzz around him has only grown after a recent performance that showed why coaches and teammates have been so high on his route running, attitude and upside.
Douglas has already flashed the kind of playmaking that can change the feel of an offense, especially when a young receiver is creating separation and making the most of his chances. The bigger question now is how often Miami can keep feeding him in spots where his speed and timing can matter most, because his emergence has given the Dolphins a real reason to believe there is more here than just a hot stretch. [Read more 🡒]