The assumption is that the Texans would probably like to start transitioning to D’Onta Foreman at tailback. He’s huge, and he popped a few longer runs as a rookie (before missing most of last year while rehabbing an Achilles injury). But Houston also still has Lamar Miller, and he’s probably more likely to lead them in rushing.
Miller isn’t chopped liver. He’s a pro, with 1,000-yard seasons for two different teams. And while he’s experienced and proven, he’s also still just 28 years old.
Miller has averaged a modest 60 rushing yards per game over the last two years (with 12 TDs in 31 games), but that’s been more a function of playing behind a lesser offensive line and not getting a ton of carries. He’s capable.
Miller busted loose for a 97-yard touchdown run last year against Tennessee, making him the only running back in NFL history with two runs over 95 yards. That’s according to the sortable database maintained by Pro Football Reference.
Miller also had an 85-yard touchdown run in 2015 for the Dolphins.
| 90-YARD RUNS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Run | Opp | Year |
| Tony Dorsett, Dall. | 99 | Min. | 1983 |
| Derrick Henry, Ten. | 99 | Jac. | 2018 |
| Ahman Green, G.B. | 98 | Den. | 2003 |
| Andy Uram, G.B. | 97 | Chi. | 1939 |
| Lamar Miller, Mia. | 97 | NYJ | 2014 |
| Lamar Miller, Mia. | 97 | Ten. | 2018 |
| Jim Spavital, Balt. | 96 | G.B. | 1950 |
| Bob Hoernschemeyer, Det. | 96 | NYY | 1950 |
| Garrison Hearst, S.F. | 96 | NYJ | 1998 |
| Corey Dillon, Cin. | 96 | Det. | 2001 |
| Tiki Barber, NYG | 95 | Oak. | 2005 |
| Chester Taylor, Min. | 95 | Sea. | 2006 |
| Chris Johnson, Ten. | 94 | NYJ | 2012 |
| Terrelle Pryor, Oak. | 93 | Pitt. | 2013 |
| Kenny Washington, Rams | 92 | Cards | 1947 |
| Bo Jackson, Rdrs. | 92 | Cin. | 1989 |
| Nick Chubb, Clev. | 92 | Atl. | 2018 |
| Bo Jackson, Rdrs. | 91 | Sea. | 1987 |
| Herschel Walker, Phil. | 91 | Atl. | 1994 |
| Chris Johnson, Ten. | 91 | Hou. | 2009 |
| DeMarco Murray, Dall. | 91 | St.L. | 2011 |
| Jamaal Charles, K.C. | 91 | N.O. | 2012 |
| Bobby Mitchell, Clev. | 90 | Was. | 1959 |
| Wilbert Montgomery, Phil. | 90 | Hou. | 1982 |
| Johnny Johnson, NYJ | 90 | Chi. | 1994 |
| Fred Taylor, Jac. | 90 | Mia. | 2000 |
| Ahman Green, G.B. | 90 | Dall. | 2004 |
| Warrick Dunn, Atl. | 90 | NYG | 2006 |
| Latavius Murray, Oak. | 90 | K.C. | 2014 |
| Colin Kaepernick, S.F. | 90 | S.D. | 2014 |
| Leonard Fournette, Jac. | 90 | Pit. | 2017 |
| Adrian Peterson, Was. | 90 | Phil. | 2018 |
Now Miller is entering the final season of a four-year, $26 million contract he signed in 2016. He’s in a contract year, and he’s apparently preparing diligently, making sure he’s in tip-top shape. An article in the Houston Chronicle indicates he’s been working out carefully.
“Right now, I’m pretty much the same (weight) as I came in last year,” Miller says. “Last year, I came in at like 220. So, right now I’m like 220, 221. But I’m going to try to drop my body fat down a little bit heading towards training camp.”
Foreman has some potential. I imagine they’ll look to work him in as a change-of-pace this year, using a one-two punch backfield. If Foreman really lights it up, he might move past Miller at some point. (Injuries could also play a role.) But if I’m walking into a draft today, it still makes sense to select Miller before Foreman.
—Ian Allan