With three days remaining before the 2023 NFL Draft begins, a new report indicates that the Miami Dolphins have recently been taking a closer look at Texas A&M University running back Devon Achane.
While running back Jahmyr Gibbs from the University of Alabama is reportedly someone Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel would love to draft, Achane is also on the team’s radar.
“We hear the Dolphins also like Texas A&M running back Devon Achane and have spent considerable time with him in the past two weeks, according to an Aggies source,” Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald wrote.
The Dolphins’ running game in recent years has not been a strong unit for the team, which is why the team appears intent on bolstering the talent in that department.
One clear reason why Achane is in the Dolphins’ sights is because of his blazing speed. At the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine last month, Achane ran the 40-yard dash in just 4.32 seconds.
At 5-foot-9 and 188 pounds, Achane doesn’t offer much in the way of size, though his production at the collegiate level garnered attention. In addition to his 65 receptions in three seasons with the Aggies, Achane averaged 7.0 yards per carry during the 2021 campaign and 5.6 last season.
Another intriguing aspect of Achane’s game is his explosive running style, which could also serve the Dolphins well when it comes to the return game.
A recent mock draft done by ESPN’s Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. had Achane taken during the third round, with Gibbs being chosen one round earlier. Yet, those two players represent just a few of the potential options for the Dolphins.
In addition, both University of California, Los Angeles running back Zach Charbonnet or Roschon Johnson from the University of Texas could be in the mix as other draft possibilities.
Given the uncertain nature of any draft, there’s no guarantee that any of the prospects mentioned will pan out as projected. However, the Dolphins need to make some upgrades quickly if they hope to make a deep postseason run this season.
The Dolphins currently don’t have any first-round picks, which puts more pressure on them to get things right with the picks they do have. Their own first-round pick was forfeited due to tampering, while a first-rounder the team acquired from the San Francisco 49ers was traded to acquire pass rusher Bradley Chubb.
