Bottom Line

Achane landed in Round 3 because of his game-breaking speed. That trait turned up routinely at Texas A&M.

But the question in Miami is simple: How much will a 188-pound frame limit his workload?

Miami re-signed Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson over the offseason, so it’s tough to anticipate big volume for the rookie.

Still, Achane’s dynamic ability – including in the receiving game – makes him an intriguing stash.

What We Learned Last Year

• Achane broke out at Texas A&M as a 2021 sophomore (130-910 rushing; 24-261 receiving, plus 10 total scores).
• In 2022, he was the only Power 5 player to score as a rusher, receiver, and return man. Versatility is a huge plus here.
• He missed a pair of games in 2022 (foot). But the former track star still set personal bests in carries, yards, and receptions.
• Achane tallied 18 runs of 15+ yards last year. That rate (1 every 10.8 rushes) topped that of Texas star Bijan Robinson (1 every 12.2 rushes).
• Achane exits college with a big 6.4 yards per carry.
• He caught 65 passes in college and profiles as one of the best receiving backs in the ‘23 class.

What to Expect in 2023

• Miami used the 84th overall pick on Achane, despite holding only five total picks in the 2023 draft.
• Post-draft, McDaniel lauded Achane’s speed and called him a strong fit. He was clearly a McDaniel pick, given his desire for speed.
• The Dolphins retained Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson on 2-year deals. Both guys signed modest deals, though, with less than $2.7 million guaranteed.
• That duo largely split carries last season. With Mostert at 31 and Wilson at 28 (in November), we’ve likely seen their best NFL work.
• NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah comped Achane to Nyheim Hines, saying the 22-year-old (in October) is best on screens and draws.
• Colleague Lance Zierlein comped Achane to former Jets scatback Leon Washington, cementing a belief from league observers that workloads won’t be heavy for the rookie.
• Still, Achene landed in perhaps the best situation (for scheme + opportunity) alongside McDaniel. In his first season at the controls, the ‘22 Dolphins ranked 6th in yards per game; 2nd in yards per play.
• Creative usage in the receiving game will be key. Achane’s size is one factor. But Miami also ranked 25th in run rate last year; 31st in total rushes.