Gerrid

Doaks

Doaks was a seventh-round pick of the Dolphins back in 2021 and has yet to play in a regular season contest. Set to turn 26 before the start of the season, the former Cincinnati Bearcat could get a chance to compete for a spot on another 53-man roster later this offseason; he’d have little to no fantasy upside even if he were to make a roster.

Doaks, a seventh-round pick in 2021, spent time on the Houston practice squad this season after being waived by the Dolphins. The only one of these players that saw time on the Texans active roster last year was Schrek, who was a deep reserve tight end.

The team also cut OL Adam Pankey, WR Mohamed Sanu Sr., DB Quincy Wilson, OL Blaise Andries, DL Owen Carney Jr., CB Elijah Hamilton, DT Niles Scott, and RB ZaQuandre White. It’s the second time in as many years that Miami has cut Doaks to get down to 53 players. He will likely wind up back on their practice squad.

Doaks was the Dolphins’ lone running back addition in the draft or free agency. It’s a poor sign for his NFL future that he could not crack this decidedly unloaded group, especially at the age of 23. The Dolphins have also waived/released LB Josh Harvey Clemons, CB Cre’Von LeBlanc, LB Benardrick McKinney, OT Adam Pankey C Matt Skura, C Cameron Tom, CB Javaris Davis, CB Tino Ellis, LB Shaquem Griffin, S Nate Holley, LB Kylan Johnson, DT Benito Jones, RB Patrick Laird, DE Jonathan Ledbetter, WR Kai Locksley, WR Khalil McClain, WR Kirk Merritt, LB Calvin Munson, TE Chris Myarick, WR Malcolm Perry, OG Durval Queiroz Neto, DE Tyshun Render, RB Jordan Scarlett, QB Reid Sinnett, DE Jason Strowbridge and FB Carl Tucker.

The running back many Dolphins fans seemed desperate for finally arrives in the dying moments of the draft. Doaks (5’11/228) was a three-star high school recruit who didn’t start until his redshirt senior season at Cincinnati. As a 2020 starter, he ran for 75 yards per game on a 4.7 YPC average, the lowest of his career. For a back of his size, Doaks has some explosiveness (39.5-inch vertical), but it never translated to his rushing production. His age (23 in June), forgettable early-career rushing production, and 36 career receptions give him a low-ceiling label. The owner of 4.57 wheels in the 40, Doaks isn’t going to do much to shake up the Dolphins’ backfield. He is still worth a Dynasty flier considering the underwhelming talent in front of him.

Doaks suffered a bit of a leg injury against Tulsa back in the AAC championship a couple weeks ago. In that game, Doaks injured his leg in the first half and failed to return to play the second half. It was reported a couple days ago that Doaks was making solid progress with his injury, but just moments before kickoff, it seems as though Doaks has been deemed unfit to play. As such, Doaks finishes the 2020 season with 144 carries, 673 yards, and seven rushing touchdowns.

In addition to a stout Golden Hurricane defense, the undefeated Bearcats were also limited in the AAC Championship by the absence of Doaks (6'0/230). The redshirt senior injured his leg during the first half of that win, and was unable to play at all during the second half. But he is making steady progress in his recovery, and the hope is that Doaks will be healthy enough to play in Cincinnati’s Peach Bowl matchup with Georgia. Having the all-conference back on the field would give Cincinnati a welcome boost on offense.

Doaks (6'0/230) also added three receptions for 36 yards, totaling 133 yards from scrimmage. He has been held out of the end zone in consecutive games for the first time this season, but he was able to eclipse triple digits in scrimmage yardage for the fourth time in the past six games. Doaks will look to keep things rolling in a positive direction and help Cincinnati move to 9-0 in next Saturday’s scheduled road trip to Temple.

Doaks (6'0/230) broke a 72-yard run on Cincinnati’s first drive of the game, and that play set the tone for the Bearcats on the ground. In addition to the redshirt senior averaging 11.5 per carry, QB Desmond Ridder averaged 8.6 per (103 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries) and as a team Cincinnati rushed for 342 yards on 39 attempts. Doaks also contributed in the passing game, as he caught three passes for 30 yards. He’ll look to put forth another solid performance in a week when the Bearcats take on East Carolina.

The Bearcats did not have any issues moving the football on Saturday, as you can see from that score. Doaks (6'0/230) was unable to go over the century mark for the third straight game, but he likely would have reached it if this game was in doubt in the fourth quarter. It was not. Doaks should continue to be the starter -- with Jerome Ford sprinkled in -- going forward. They’ll take on Houston next Saturday.