Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor is expected by many to be the first running back off the board in the NFL Draft this spring, and the Miami Dolphins may be hoping they can nab him.
According to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald, Dolphins running backs coach Eric Studesville spent some time with Taylor on Tuesday and is working with him at Wisconsin's Pro Day on Wednesday.
Taylor is expected to go in the late first round or the early second round.
The 21-year-old is coming off of a monster junior campaign in which he racked up 2,003 yards and 21 touchdowns while averaging 6.3 yards per carry. In addition, he hauled in 26 receptions for 252 yards and five scores.
Taylor arrived at Wisconsin back in 2017 and immediately flashed his NFL potential during his freshman season, rushing for 1,977 yards and 13 scores while logging 6.6 yards per attempt.
The Salem, N.J. native was even better in his sophomore year, finishing with 2,194 yards while reaching the end zone 16 times on the ground, registering 7.1 yards per tote.
Miami needs help everywhere offensively, and its No. 1 priority will almost certainly be taking a quarterback with its first pick, but it can certainly use a halfback, especially after trading Kenyan Drake this past season.
As a matter of fact, the Dolphins ranked last in the league in rushing offense in 2019, averaging a meager 72.3 rushing yards per game while posting a paltry 3.3 yards per carry.
Miami won just five games this past year and has made just one playoff appearance since 2009. Going back even further, the Dolphins have only made two trips to the postseason since 2002.
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