Niner Noise
FanSided

The top NFL player to watch from each team in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 25, 2017; Davie, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) reacts during OTAs practice drills at Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2017; Davie, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) reacts during OTAs practice drills at Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Miami Dolphins — Running Back Jay Ajayi

Running back Jay Ajayi was one of the better storylines for the upstart Miami Dolphins in 2016, and he’ll be expected to shoulder a good deal of the load this season.

Ajayi’s 1,272 rushing yards and 4.9 yards-per-attempt average are both exemplary. But one has to put this into a bit of context.

In three of the 15 games Ajayi started, he managed to rush for over 200 yards. That’s pretty awesome. Yet he only managed four total games — including these three — where he rushed for over 100 yards.

And in nine games, he couldn’t even reach 70.

It’s “feast or famine” for Ajayi, based off last year’s results, but the Dolphins hope he can be a regular contributor in a tough AFC East.

With the defense still a work in progress, the Dolphins hope to ensure Ajayi is capable of establishing the key ball control to maintain the team’s hold as the No. 2 squad in the division.