Former Miami Dolphins running back Myles Gaskin reportedly is signing a deal to join the Minnesota Vikings’ active roster.
Gaskin was cut by the Dolphins as the team got its roster down to 53 players before Tuesday’s deadline. In Minnesota, Gaskin will reunite with former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, who is now Minnesota’s defensive coordinator.
RB Myles Gaskin, released yesterday by the Dolphins, is signing today with the Vikings active roster, per source. Agents Drew Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha confirmed the deal with Minnesota, where Gaskin now will be reuniting with his former HC Brian Flores, the Vikings’ DC.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2023
Gaskin, a seventh-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, played the first three seasons of his NFL career under Flores.
The 26-year-old running back played big roles for the team in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but he saw his touches and production dip in the 2022 season under new Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.
In the 2020 season, Gaskin appeared in 10 games, making seven starts. He ran for 584 yards and three touchdowns while averaging a career-high 4.1 yards per carry that season.
Gaskin followed up a strong 2020 campaign by appearing in every one of the Dolphins’ games in the 2021 season, starting 10 of them. He posted career-highs in rushing attempts (173), rushing yards (612), targets (63), receptions (49) and receiving touchdowns (four).
However, Gaskin took a step back from an efficiency standpoint. The University of Washington product averaged just 3.5 yards per carry in the 2021 season.
That led to his role with the team diminishing in the 2022 campaign, especially with Raheem Mostert and eventually Jeff Wilson Jr. joining him in the backfield.
Gaskin played in just four games during the 2022 season and saw a career-low 10 carries. He didn’t do much with his opportunities, rushing for just 26 yards on those 10 attempts. Gaskin also made four catches for 28 yards in the 2022 season.
With Miami drafting rookie running back De’Von Achane in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Gaskin was always facing an uphill battle to make the roster this season. Wilson and Mostert have more experience in McDaniel’s system from their time with him in San Francisco, putting Gaskin behind in the race for a roster spot.
Now, he will have a chance to prove he belongs in the NFL with the Vikings. It’s possible that playing for a staff that includes Flores rejuvenates Gaskin so he can return to his form from the 2020 campaign.
In Minnesota, Gaskin will likely compete for snaps behind starter Alexander Mattison. Minnesota needed running back depth after releasing Dalvin Cook this offseason.
