After being inactive in Week 1 of the 2016 season, not much was expected from Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi. When the team’s rushing attack was sub par in their first three games, the Dolphins turned to Ajayi and he certainly delivered.

Ajayi rushed for 200 yards in back-to-back weeks in wins against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills. On Monday, on the television show Good Morning Football, Dolphins safety Michael Thomas said he expects Ajayi to be even better in 2017.

“Even when guys stacked the box, he still found a way to get those yards,” Thomas said. “We are trying to improve that O-Line and trying to find ways to get him the ball even more than he did last year. Maybe 20-plus carries… I expect him to have another great season.”

Ajayi was actually left in Miami for the Dolphins season opener against the Seahawks because he was unhappy with his role at the time. Arian Foster started the team’s first two games against the Seahawks and the New England Patriots, while Kenyan Drake was the starter in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

In 15 games, Ajayi rushed for 1,272 yards, eight touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. This offseason, Ajayi has been working on his route-running and pass catching.

Dolphins head coach Adam Gase said earlier this spring that Ajayi could receive up to 350 carries this season. When asked about that by the media, Ajayi seemed pretty comfortable with a heavier workload in 2017.

“I feel like I’m a workhorse, and I get better as the game keeps going as I continue to be a part of the game,” Ajayi said in a press conference earlier this month. “Yes, I feel like if I can get a certain amount of carries, then that’ll be good for our team as well.”