Dolphins may solve running back issues with rookie De'Von Achane
The Dolphins sifted through the free agent market, looking for a good running back. But they may have found him in the draft in De’Von Achane.
Achane, the fleet former Texas A&M star, is working his way into the Dolphins running back rotation. And if the running backs contribute as a unit to complement a potent Miami passing attack, you could be looking at another team that’ll compete with Kansas City, Cincinnati or Buffalo.
The Dolphins are in Houston this week. They’re conducting joint practices with the Texans to prep for Saturday’s preseason game at NRG Stadium. Reporters asked Mike McDaniel about his running back situation and his thoughts on Dalvin Cook. A few weeks ago, NFL insiders were convinced the Dolphins would add Cook, the former Viking and native Floridian. Instead, the Miami interest seemed to cool over meeting Cook’s contract demands of $8 million-plus. He signed earlier this week with the revamped Jets.
“I’m very happy with our running back group,” McDaniel said. “There’s been a ton of development since camp started for already talented guys that I very much believe in. So overall, I’m really pumped with the running back group. As far as other team’s transactions, really, I haven’t even paid that much attention other than to what is today? Today is practice. The 16th of August. And I’m very happy with the crew that we’re going to compete with and pumped to compete against this unit too.”
Dolphins’ rotation could be Mostert, Wilson and Achane
Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson probably will be the two backs splitting reps on first and second down. Meanwhile, Achane should come in on third down or in other special packages. The goal is to improve upon last year’s anemic numbers. The Dolphins averaged 96 rushing yards a game. That ranked as only 27th best in the league.
McDaniel allowed Achane to take most of the carries in the Dolphins preseason opener against the Falcons. His yardage was subpar — he ran 10 times for 25 But Achane showed other ways he could contribute. He led all Dolphins receivers with four catches for 41 yards. And he returned a kick for 38 yards.
Achane said earlier this month that he wants to show he can run between the tackles. Most folks assume that because he’s such a speedster that he likes to bounce everything outside.
“Some people think I’m fast, that I always want to run outside or do outside zone plays,” Achane told reporters before last week’s preseason game. “But you know, like coach (Jimbo) Fisher said, I also can run in-between the tackles. Most of my big runs in college were in-between the tackles. So I felt like linebackers might over-pursue.”
And for a rookie, Achane also knows how to pick up blitzes. “That fires you up,” Dolphins reserve quarterback Mike White said of Achane’s pass blocking. “That makes you want to get him the ball more. That’s a very selfless job, picking up a linebacker full steam. So it’s a lot of fun to play with him. It’s a lot of fun to watch him grow.”