On the Move: 2026 Dolphins Trade for 2024 First-Team All-SEC Running Back
The 2026 Miami Dolphins are adding some more youth to the team, trading wide receiver Tutu Atwell back to the Los Angeles Rams for former Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter. This trade feels like a change-of-scenery type of trade for both guys, even with Atwell playing for the Rams earlier in his career. The former Louisville product was brought in as a free agent this offseason and has quickly fallen behind on the depth chart. The 26-year-old wide receiver was listed on the initial Dolphins’ depth chart behind standout rookie Caleb Douglas, and hasn’t stood out in a weak wide receiver room.
Hunter, on the other hand, was never an option for the Rams to garner any meaningful snaps outside of garbage time and the preseason. The former Auburn Tiger sat in a jungle behind Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Ronnie Rivers on the Rams’ initial depth chart, and barring any injury, wouldn’t see any time on the field at all in Los Angeles. Hunter is only 23 years old and was a former fourth-round pick after an All-SEC-caliber season with Auburn in 2024, where he rushed for 1,201 yards and eight touchdowns. Since being drafted 117th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, he’s yet to record a single regular-season stat. However, he did have 68 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown in the Rams’ blowout win over the New Orleans Saints 34-0 during the 2026 preseason.
Overall, I like the trade for both sides. I think both Atwell and Hunter will have opportunities to fight for meaningful snaps during the regular season, with the former fourth-rounder having a bit better chance in my opinion. The Dolphins’ running back room is still a little muddy outside of De’Von Achane, and I’m not sure that Jaylen Wright or Ollie Gordon II is a reliable backup option for Achane this season. Gordon is more of a short-yardage back, while Wright has not lived up to the expectations even as a former fourth-round pick. It will be really interesting to see if Hunter will suit up for Friday’s preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons. I doubt it, since he will have zero knowledge of the playbook and the Dolphins aren’t in DEFCON One like the Rams were back when Baker Mayfield led L.A. to a miraculous Monday Night Football win over the Las Vegas Raiders after joining the team just two days beforehand.
