Dolphins longest-tenured RB 'at serious risk' of getting cut?

Despite being the longest-tenured member of the Dolphins running back corps, Salvon Ahmed is a major release candidate. As Pierre Taylor of the Miami Herald writes, the veteran running back is “at serious risk” of getting cut during the preseason.

Ahmed is the lone holdover at the position from the pre-Mike McDaniel era, but he did have a chance to work with the coach in San Francisco as a UDFA in 2020. Since McDaniel was hired as Miami’s head coach in 2022, he brought in a pair of former 49ers RBs in Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. to lead his depth chart. While that duo has struggled with injuries throughout their career, Ahmed hasn’t seen a significant uptick in playing time when either teammate has been out of the lineup.

Ahmed was already positioned as the team’s fourth RB after the Dolphins selected De’Von Achane in last year’s draft, but the veteran was pushed further down the depth chart earlier this month. The Dolphins added another player at the position in fourth-round pick Jaylen Wright, putting Ahmed’s roster spot in serious doubt.

If the Dolphins move on from Ahmed, they wouldn’t be left with any of his $1.1M cap hit, making him a logical cut candidate. As Taylor notes, Wilson and his $1.2M of potential dead cap means he could also be considered a cut candidate, but it seems unlikely that the organization would move on from the veteran.

A release could end up being the best thing for Ahmed. The former UDFA got an extended look as a rookie in 2020, finishing with 380 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. He followed that up with a 266-yard outing in 2021, but he’s seen a limited role over the past two years. Between 2022 and 2023, Ahmed compiled only 221 total yards and three scores. Pro Football Focus was fond of his performance in both 2020 and 2022, so Ahmed may have some untapped potential that won’t be realized on Miami’s crowded depth chart.