Instant Analysis: Matt Breida Traded to the Miami Dolphins

Mike Havens

Near the beginning of the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft, the San Francisco 49ers sent running back Matt Breida to the Miami Dolphins for a fifth-round draft pick. This trade quickly changed the landscape of some mid-range running backs in the NFL. Here are some key players who were affected the most and what it means going forward.

Matt Breida, RB MIA

Going undrafted in 2017, Matt Breida signed a three-year deal for the 49ers as a rookie free agent. Breida possessed elite speed and quickness that new coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch were looking for, and didn’t have to spend the draft capital to obtain it.

He made the final roster with his special teams talent and eventually developed into a competent runner as well, originally as a backup to Carlos Hyde and then to Jerick McKinnon the following season. When McKinnon went down with a season-ending ACL tear in 2018, Breida stepped into the starting spot by week two and put up 138 rushing yards, catching the attention of NFL fans and coaches alike.

Over the course of the next two seasons, Breida put up quality stats and assembled a good number of highlight-worthy plays, but had been unable to retain the starting role all to himself. His smaller frame led to multiple soft tissue injuries as he eventually became part of a committee with Raheem Mostert and Alfred Morris. Even with the split in work, Breida amassed over 1,000 total yards and five touchdowns in 2018, good for 22nd overall among RBs in fantasy.

In 2019, the 49ers signed Tevin Coleman, taking away much of the workload that was required of Breida the year prior. While his numbers were down, he still turned heads by reaching 22.30 mph on an 83-yard touchdown run, the fastest recorded speed in the NFL that season.

Exiting the 2019 season as a restricted free agent, the 49ers placed a second-round tender on Breida to prevent him from leaving outright. That move paid off as the 49ers eventually traded him to the Dolphins for a fifth-round pick. The move is the right move for all parties involved.

Breida is ranked 139th overall by our rankers at DLF. I think his value will increase ever so slightly given the greater opportunity he will have in Miami due to a less crowded backfield. All Breida owners would be wise to trade their copy to Jordan Howard owners now or hold out for more value later.

Raheem Mostert, RB SF

28-year-old Mostert eventually earned starting duties last year in a crowded backfield. The exit of Breida should not change Mostert’s value, but it will help solidify his status as the starting RB in San Francisco. Mostert is a strong hold for now.

Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon, RB SF

The biggest winners out of this trade are the two backs who will be fighting for playing time behind Mostert. With Breida gone, both running backs look to be the next man up. I wouldn’t doubt that the 49ers release or trade one of these backs later on, but for now both players appear safe on the roster.

Jeff Wilson Jr, RB SF

Perhaps the biggest winner of all is backup Josh Wilson. Also a rookie free agent, Wilson emerged due to injuries and found some value in games late in the 2019 season. His inexpensive price tag means he’ll likely be safe from roster cuts. He holds little-to-no value in most fantasy leagues, but it’s worth mentioning for deeper rosters.

Jordan Howard, RB MIA

Word is that the Dolphins had been inquiring about trading for players such as Todd Gurley and Leonard Fournette before making the deal for Breida. If true, Howard escaped what could have been another season as a backup in the NFL.

Howard is bigger and better suited for early-down roles. Newly-acquired Breida should spell Howard on third down and passing situations, leaving Howard the majority of the workload and giving him a breather during games. I think the acquisition of Breida will only make Howard a better player overall.

Howard is 160th in our rankings, probably due to the uncertainty in his future and the thought that the Dolphins would draft an eventual replacement in the 2020 draft. Being that the Dolphins made a trade to complement Howard’s running game, he has solidified himself as the starter and his value should increase as a result.

If I was a Howard owner, it would be a firm hold for now. I would easily pay a third-rounder as a buyer. As I mentioned earlier, this trade couldn’t have worked out any better for all parties involved.

mike havens