Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins can't seem to find a running back

Published Mar. 18, 2016 11:55 a.m. ET

Dan Graf

The Miami Dolphins’ pursuit of a running back – seemingly any running back – in free agency took another turn for the worse Friday, when James Starks re-signed with the Packers.

James Starks returns to Packers on 2-year, $6 million dealhttps://t.co/51PTr8sIhI
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 18, 2016

Starks, who has been mostly a backup to Eddie Lacy the past three seasons, reportedly had been talking to Miami.

But then again, so had a lot of other running backs, including 2015 Dolphins leading rusher Lamar Miller (lost to the Texans on the first day of free agency), Broncos free agent C.J. Anderson (lost to Denver when it matched Miami’s offer sheet) and Cardinals free agent Chris Johnson (who ultimately returned to Arizona after visiting Miami).

The Dolphins have the 13th overall pick in the draft – almost certainly too high for a running back, so taking one in the second or third rounds might be their best option.

Looking for a free agent to lead the way next season seems like an exercise in diminishing returns given that Arian Foster, LeGarrette Blount, Ronnie Hillman and Alfred Morris are the best remaining names in a picked-over market.

Jay Ajayi, a 2015 fifth-round pick who averaged only 3.8 yards per carry in 2015, is Miami’s top returning rusher at 187 yards.