Miami’s RB2 competition is tightening behind De’Von Achane, with Ollie Gordon II taking a clear step forward after last Saturday’s 24-17 win over Detroit. Gordon, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound sixth-rounder from Oklahoma State, looks more equipped for short-yardage duty than Jaylen Wright, offering power, secure hands, and solid value on special teams. Wright remains a fast-burst option, but Gordon has the edge as Achane’s primary backup at this moment.

The Browns-and-bears of the preseason continue, as the Dolphins prep for Thursday’s joint practice with Jacksonville and Saturday’s finale with the Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium. With Alexander Mattison sidelined by neck surgery and Aaron Shampklin plus Mike Boone in the mix, Miami’s backfield battle is a two-man race that could tilt once Achane returns. Miami signals a quest for a full-tool, dependable back who can stay on the field in multiple roles, a dynamic that would create real fantasy upside if Gordon wins the job.

In this environment, Gordon’s two preseason games (83 rushing yards on 18 carries and 3 receptions for 48 yards with a long 20-yard grab) plus a kickoff-smarts moment against Detroit paint him as a potential standout RB2—if he can translate that efficiency into consistent third-down and goal-line production. McDaniel describes the process as a multi-faceted search for players who can pick up pass protection and elevate the entire group, not merely one trait. The next tests will reveal if Gordon can separate from Wright and the rest enough to lock in a true complementary role.

De'Von Achane's calf setback shadows the Dolphins as the preseason winds down. The team frames it as a soft-tissue issue that will be handled with a preventative approach, meaning limited practice and a cautious ramp-back toward Week 1.

With Achane sidelined, Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II step into the spotlight behind the starter, while Mike Boone and Aaron Shampklin provide veteran depth. The injury note comes as Alexander Mattison is ruled out for the season after a neck injury, amplifying the need for proven depth in Miami's backfield ahead of the Sept. 7 opener.

McDaniel indicated the timeline could range from days to weeks, keeping expectations fluid for Achane's Week 1 status. The dynamic now leans toward a committee early, with Gordon II's bruising style potentially adding a new dimension to the offense as Wright provides speed and shifty change-of-pace.

In this evolving backfield picture, Gordon II could become a key short-yardage option if Achane isn't at full speed. The combination of Wright's burst and Gordon II's power offers Miami a versatile trio, with Boone and Shampklin looming as experienced depth for early-season workloads and pass protection scenarios.

Miami’s rookies provided the splash without the starters in a 24-17 win over Detroit, signaling positive momentum for the depth chart. Quinn Ewers looked steadier, connecting with Theo Wease Jr. for two touchdowns on an 11-for-17, 116-yard day, while Wease racked up 80 yards on nine targets as the primary rhythm target. Ollie Gordon II kept his stock rising with 50 rushing yards on 10 attempts and two catches, showing juice in the second half. Up front, Savaiinaea and Addison West offered solid, if not flawless, showings, and Kenneth Grant anchored interior rushes alongside Jordan Phillips, who posted 1.5 sacks. The secondary flashed, including an eye-catching pick by Ethan Robinson to seal the win. This trio of rookies—on offense and defense—boosts Miami’s late-season roster drama and provides intriguing fantasy-soaked threads for dynasty and deeper-league rosters.

Oklahoma State's 2024 campaign was a public-relations disaster on the field, finishing 3-9 and failing to win a Big 12 game for the first time under Mike Gundy. The defense, graded among the worst in Power Four programs, created a harsh reality for any fantasy projection, while the offense transitions to a brand-new quarterback room. The one steadying force entering 2025 is the backfield, where Freddie Brock and Trent Howland look to carry much of the workload behind two inexperienced quarterbacks.

The quarterback competition between Zane Flores and Hauss Hejny is wide open, with neither having meaningful college passing reps. That pushes OSU to lean on the ground game and fast, physical run schemes. PFF projects 5.7 wins for 2024 with 2025 expectations likely to hinge on QB development and defensive improvement, but FanDuel’s 5.5 win total signals little margin for error. The Doak Walker Award legacy from Gordon II is now in Miami, a reminder that OSU’s 2025 identity will be tested by replacement production and the need for efficient, scheme-friendly playmakers at the skill positions.

Alexander Mattison’s season-ending neck surgery in Chicago upends Miami’s running-back plan for 2025. The Dolphins signed Mattison to be the power back beside De’Von Achane’s burst and Jaylen Wright’s versatility, but the preseason injury opens a door for Ollie Gordon II. Gordon II surged in the preseason with 33 rushing yards and a score on eight carries, hinting at a larger role as a rookie from Oklahoma State who rushed for 1,732 yards and 21 TD in 2023 and earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Miami is also weighing Jamaal Williams as an outside option, per ESPN. With Mattison out, Achane remains the speed threat, Wright serves as a multi-purpose piece, and Gordon could be the early-down hammer while Williams could join as a veteran addition if he signs. The backfield now centers on Gordon’s acclimation and whether Williams lands in Miami, shaping the fantasy landscape in this high-octane offense.

In the background, the Dolphins’ decision to explore options beyond the building underscores the uncertainty at the position. Williams is a known quantity from New Orleans, and the potential addition would add a veteran floor to the committee. The Bears were the preseason opponent during Mattison’s injury, and the Raiders were cited for Mattison’s prior 2024 stint, which adds context to his career arc. For fantasy managers, Achane still looks like the top play in Miami’s backfield, but Gordon’s emergence and the Williams workout could nudge the workload toward a split that adds risk to relying on any single Dolphins back, especially early in the season as coaches test the new look without Mattison.