That would be because of two things: 1) Drake isn't trying to break a home run on every run. He runs to where the hole is supposed to be, and then he lets things develop. (2) Drake is our best pass-blocking running back.
Joe Schad wrote:
1. Kenyan Drake has been an upgrade over Jay Ajayi.
This is not a knock on all Ajayi did for the Dolphins last season, when his powerful running style sparked Miami’s turnaround and run to the playoffs. But Ajayi did not look as good this season as he did last season, when he was a Pro Bowler. Many shuddered at the Dolphins giving up Ajayi for just a fourth-round pick. But part of the decision was to clear the way for Drake, a more dynamic, explosive, shifty, big-play threat. Drake is faster, a better receiver, has superior vision and is stronger than the typical slashing back. On 138 carries early in the season, Ajayi averaged 3.4 yards per carry. On 65 carries this season, Drake is averaging 4.9, which would be tied for seventh in the NFL if he had enough carries. If he keeps toting it 20 times a game, Drake may qualify by season’s end. The last five games of this season are in large part about discovering if Drake can be a lead back, and on Sunday, he took a step toward that, flashing even when long runs were called back on holding calls. In the first quarter, a holding call on Mike Pouncey negated a 17-yard run. Although it didn’t count, it was an excellent example of how Drake is stronger than advertised. He may not be a bull like Ajayi, but he can break tackles. Drake was all but dropped for a two-yard loss. But he kept his balance, touched one hand to the ground and kept the play alive. A defender had his hand around Drake’s ankle, but Drake escapes and darted toward the left sideline, with great acceleration and burst. In the third quarter, Drake navigated through the middle for a key 42-yard gain. On the play, Drake showed off his ability to hop around in small spaces, to make defenders miss, to find seams and creases with vision and a feel for his surroundings. Those qualities are as valuable if not more than his blazing straight-ahead speed. And Drake is no one-trick pony. Not only did he go for 42, he also had runs of: 11, 9, 8, 8, 7, 7, 6, 5 and 5 on Sunday. That’s the type of consistency Miami craves. Even when it’s not blocked up perfectly, Drake can turn a profit.
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