The Miami Dolphins have high hopes for rookie De’Von Achane, and the third-round pick has no problem comparing himself to one of the top running backs in the NFL, San Francisco 49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey.
here's an exclusive interview with @miamidolphins RB de'Von achane from the 2023 NFLPA rookie premiere. #finsup
//CREDIT: fins.district on IG//
/spoiler alert: he compares himself to CMC 👀👀/ pic.twitter.com/FPD1QNGgYh
— josh houtz (@houtz) May 23, 2023
Asked by Josh Houtz of the Phinsider to name his favorite players when he was growing up, Achane said they were LaDainian Tomlinson, Reggie Bush and McCaffrey. Asked to compare himself to a player right now in the NFL, Achane quickly answered, “McCaffrey.”
Considered to be one of the sleeper picks of the 2023 NFL Draft, Achane, who was the No. 84 overall selection, put up 1,298 yards from scrimmage last season for Texas A&M University. He also excelled as a kick returner for the Aggies.
His ability to catch passes out of the backfield (60 receptions the past two seasons) strengthens the comparisons to McCaffrey, who is considered among the elite two-way backs in the NFL. Achane is listed as 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds. McCaffrey is listed at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds.
Achane was a track star at Texas A&M and ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, the fastest time of any running back there. He adds even more speed to a Dolphins offense that already includes Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert and Tyreek Hill, three of the fastest players in the NFL.
Achane’s speed reportedly has been a highlight of the Dolphins OTAs that started this week.
The Miami offense thrived last season with the addition of Hill and the improved play of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa under new head coach Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins averaged 23.4 points per game (11th in the NFL) after averaging 20.1 points per game (22nd in the NFL) in 2021.
Miami made the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season and lost to the Buffalo Bills 34-31 in the wild-card round.
Achane also is familiar with Hard Rock Stadium. He won Most Outstanding Player of the 2021 Orange Bowl playing there for Texas A&M in a win against North Carolina.
