Fantasy Football Alert: Arian Foster wins Miami Dolphins starting RB job

DAVIE, Fla., Sept. 5 (UPI) -- It's official: veteran running back Arian Foster is the starting running back in Miami.

Dolphins head coach Adam Gase listed Foster as the lead running back Monday on the team's official depth chart.

The move comes a week after Gase called the final preseason performance by Jay Ajayi disappointing, in the team's loss to Tennessee.

"Adam Gase says experience is one reason Arian Foster is the starter," The Miami Herald's Armando Salguero reported. "But also what he's shown in camp."

Foster, 30, is a former All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection. He piled up 6,472 rushing yards and 54 touchdowns with the Houston Texans. He also hauled in 249 receptions for 2,268 yards and 14 receiving scores in those seven seasons, before being signed by the Dolphins.

"I think a little bit of the reason is experience; but at the same time I think Arian, from the time he's gotten here, has really shown that, that is the correct spot for him to be in," Gase said Monday. "He had a really good camp. He did everything we asked him to do as far as what we wanted to see in the preseason and he's been very consistent in his knowledge of the offense in the short period of time that he was here – it was impressive to watch him [and] how quickly he picked it up."

Ajayi had 49 yards on 18 carries this preseason. He failed to reach the end zone. In his final showing against the Titans, he had three attempts for 13 yards, but fumbled and dropped several passes. Foster had seven attempts for five yards and a touchdown in two preseason appearances. He also had two receptions for 20 yards.

"I was a little disappointed that [Ajayi] put the ball on the ground," Gase said Thursday. "I feel like what he's shown me in the spring and in training camp as far as being a guy that is reliable in the passing game. I don't know the exact ball placement on second down – I'm not sure if it was behind him or if he dropped it – I know I have a lot of faith, even if the ball's off target, he usually makes that play. I know it's the fourth preseason [game]. Everyone kind of looks at this game and shrugs their shoulders but any time you walk on that field it's important."

ESPN's James Walker reported that Foster won the job by "doing the right things the most," according to Gase.

In August, the Herald's Adam Beasley reported that the Dolphins believed that a healthy Foster could be "the guy" at the running back spot.

Fantasy football-wise, look for Foster as a mid-to-late round target. Although he opens with a tough match-up against the Seattle Seahawks, he does have a few friendly match-ups on the season's slate.

Foster should not be trusted as an RB1 or RB2 quite yet, but more of a depth pick early on. His low price makes him a good flex target for most weeks. Monitor Foster's progress throughout the season to get a better feel for his role going forward. If you have yet to draft, adjust your rankings accordingly, moving Foster up in the ranks, while demoting Ajayi.