While the acquisition of Bradley Chubb was the Miami Dolphins’ headline move at the trade deadline, it wasn’t the only move that general manager Chris Grier was able to swing that day.
Miami also traded a 2023 fifth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for running back Jeff Wilson Jr.
In five seasons, Wilson hasn’t been great at staying on the field, but when he’s out there, he’s impressive. The former Mean Green has rushed for 1,733 yards and 15 touchdowns on 4.4 yards per attempt in his career, adding another 387 yards and four touchdowns on 45 receptions.
This year, Wilson has played in all eight games, rushing for 468 yards and two touchdowns on a career-high 5.1 yards per rush.
On top of his solid production, Wilson also has familiarity with head coach Mike McDaniel, who was in San Francisco for the first four years of the running back’s career.
Wednesday, McDaniel spoke to the media to explain exactly what the team was getting with Wilson’s arrival.
“He’s a physical guy that you can count on to bring that physicality and tone sets in that regard,” McDaniel said. “Great teammate. And he’s a guy that doesn’t – you always really gravitate towards people that expect nothing given to them and enjoy the process of earning stuff, and that’s the way he’s always been. He’s always been very – he’s been around very competitive backfields and he’s always rooted for his teammates, and is one of the locker room’s favorite players, while also trying to do his best and whatever he can to help the team. So I couldn’t be happier with the person that we’re bringing to Dolphins.”
It sounds like he’ll fit right in. He knows the system, the coach and his backfield partner, Raheem Mostert.
