NFL Free Agency: 7 Free-Agent Running Backs the Miami Dolphins Should Sign

All offseason, Miami Dolphins fans (DolFans, as DolFan-nation likes to call them) have been speculating about some of the free agents available in this year's free-agency class. 

With a lot of needs being met through the draft, running backs are still a big-time need, despite the drafting of second-rounder Daniel Thomas in the 2011 NFL draft. 

This year's class of free-agent running backs aren't the most amazing, but the Miami Dolphins have a plethora of options at the ball-carrying position.

Here are seven of the best options available to the Dolphins.  

Ahmad Bradshaw

Ahmad Bradshaw is an animal, and he's easily the best available running back on the free-agent market. 

At the start of this entire lockout deal, I suggested that Bradshaw should be considered by the Miami Dolphins, and that Bradshaw's best fit, career-wise, would be in Miami.

(Side note: I feel like a prophet!)

Well, now Bradshaw is actually interested in playing for Miami, and Dolphin Nation is ecstatic.

Ahmad Bradshaw had a solid season last year with New York, garnering over 1,500 yards from scrimmage. Additionally, he averaged over 77 yards per game, and this is while sharing carrying duties with Brandon Jacobs.

At age 25, Bradshaw hasn't hit his ceiling, either.

The Dolphins would be smart to pursue Bradshaw, and Bradshaw would be smart to let it happen.  

BenJarvus Green-Ellis

BenJarvus Green-Ellis had an amazing season in 2010 with the New England Patriots. He accumulated over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in just 242 touches all season. 

The Miami Dolphins would be wise to pick up Green-Ellis, a pound-and-ground runner who can pick up some hard yards when asked. This fits perfectly into the Miami Dolphins' mindset, which is primarily smash-mouth football. 

Green-Ellis would allow the Dolphins to use up clock, since he doesn't run to the sidelines, and that's something the Dolphins did well last season. 

Additionally, Green-Ellis gobbled up 13 touchdowns, and the Dolphins desperately needed red-zone offense. 

Green-Ellis makes a ton of sense, and at the age of 26, he's still got quite a bit left in him. 

Michael Bush

Michael Bush isn't a primary ball-carrier, but he's good enough to excel in the best of circumstances. 

In 2010, Bush got more reps in Oakland as a Raider, and as a result, compiled eight touchdowns. 

Bush isn't explosive, and the Oakland Raiders weren't that impressed with him. 

Don't expect the same in Miami, but expect Bush to get just as many carries per game (about 11 in Oakland) as he did in Oakland if he ends up with Miami. And when he does, he'll do extremely well behind an offensive line anchored by Mike Pouncey and Jake Long. 

DeAngelo Williams

DeAngelo Williams has been the front-runner for nabbing a spot on the Miami Dolphins' depth chart, and deservedly so. Before Williams' season was cut short last year, Williams was on a hot streak, rushing for over five yards per carry. 

In 2009 (pre-injury), D-Will compounded nearly 1,400 yards from scrimmage along with seven rushing touchdowns. 

The Miami Dolphins could use DeAngelo Williams' versatility, especially with their strong offensive line. He can run between tackles effectively, and that'll be crucial to the Dolphins' success. 

Mike Tolbert

Mike Tolbert proved to be the San Diego Chargers' best running back last year, rushing in for 11 touchdowns in just 182 attempts, while being the perennial rushing presence in San Diego. 

Tolbert is a plodder and bulldozes his way through defensive lines with ease, and he's strong enough to break tackles, which is the mold the Dolphins would like their backs to be built in. 

Tolbert is yet another big, strong running back the Chargers produced and may not hold onto—will the Dolphins be the beneficiaries?

Tim Hightower

Tim Hightower proved to be a viable rushing option in Arizona with the Cardinals, as he averaged nearly five yards per carry along with five touchdowns. 

Hightower is a hard-running back that runs with a ton of conviction—dude's a head-hunter, and he has the agility to get past defenders decently, too. 

The Miami Dolphins could use Hightower's hard running to replace Ronnie Brown, a big, strong running back. 

Cedric Benson

Cedric Benson is coming off his second straight 1,000-yard season, and though he got more touches (and less of a per carry average), he accumulated seven touchdowns in Cincinnati. 

Benson is yet another pound-and-ground back who's big enough to plow his way for yards; again, this is important for the Dolphins' success, and it allows Miami to use up time effectively and leave opponents with little opportunity to do much against their staunch, disciplined defense. 

Benson was once considered a bust, but his resurgence the past two years could help Miami get past the hump of .500.