The Miami Dolphins reportedly feel that rookie running back De’Von Achane can be a three-down back for them.
Achane was the Dolphins’ third-round pick (84th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he should compete for a ton of snaps in the Dolphins’ backfield.
De’Von Achane is reportedly turning heads in the Miami Dolphins camp. The team feels he can be a 3 down back.
Some teammates said Achane has reminded them of Chris Johnson. pic.twitter.com/SIh9Bp1uNK
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) August 10, 2023
To be compared to Chris Johnson, a Tennessee Titans legend, is a major compliment for Achane. Johnson, who ran for 2,006 yards in the 2009 season, is one of the fastest players to play the running back position in the NFL.
He was the 2009 Offensive Player of the Year and a three-time Pro Bowler. If Achane ever reaches those accolades, it’ll be a great sign for Miami.
Miami’s depth chart currently has Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed at the running back position with Achane.
Achane, who played collegiately at Texas A&M University, lit defenses up with his speed in college. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry across three seasons and put together a 1,102 rushing yard season in the 2022 campaign while scoring eight rushing touchdowns.
The rookie running back’s receiving prowess is also elite, which gives him a real chance to play all three downs for Miami. Achane made 65 catches for 554 yards in his collegiate career, showing that he can be a reliable option out of the backfield for checkdowns from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
There’s no guarantee that Miami just hands the keys at running back over to Achane, especially since the team brought back Mostert and Wilson this offseason in free agency. Both of those backs have experience playing for Mike McDaniel in Miami and his previous coaching spot in San Francisco.
Still, it’s a good sign that Miami is already so confident in the rookie.
The Dolphins have a ton of speed on their roster from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle at receiver to Achane and Mostert in the backfield. That should make the team one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL in the 2023 season.
After making the playoffs in the 2022 season, Miami is hoping to improve on last season’s 9-8 record and get back into the postseason in the 2023 campaign.
