Dolphins RB could be steal of 2023 draft

The accolades from his teammates came crashing in for Achane's record-setting rookie performance almost like the reviews on the back of a book cover.

"He got a lot of hype coming in here. Said he was running like 27 miles an hour — he might've hit that on that long run," Dolphins starting safety Jevon Holland said, per the Palm Beach Post's Emilee Smarr. "He's a hell of a player and I'm just glad that he's having the opportunity to go out there and just play the game he loves."

Yes, it is a bit early to give them supreme props, but the Dolphins, who had only four picks in this year's draft, might have selected the best player. As it pertains to the Dolphins, Achane perfectly fits what they do on offense, which is why head coach Mike McDaniel lobbied general manager Chris Grier to take him on Day 2 of the draft. 

Achane has the potential to hit a jackpot every time he touches the ball. He's the kind of player who can make a team look draft-savvy.

"He runs between the tackles very well, has tremendous patience and eyes and he is a natural runner of the ball. Then, when he sees his opening, that’s when the acceleration goes" Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher said, per Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein. "A lot of track guys, if you really watch, sometimes they’re running fast all the time. With football, sometimes the rhythm of the block, the tempo is not there. De’Von is just the opposite. He never used [his speed] until he had to."

McDaniel, who celebrated with a fist-pump when Achane was announced as the 84th overall selection, had been admiring the RB from afar for over two years. Grier's hesitancy came down to the Dolphins adding skill to an already-crowded RB room, but McDaniel knew that just like great pitchers in a bullpen, a team can never have enough speed. Achane is now the co-ace of the staff with Raheem Mostert in a stable that includes injured RBs Salvon Ahmed and Jeff Wilson Jr. 

"It’s a fortunate thing to have," McDaniel said, per Pro Football Talk's Adam Beasley. "I have been on the opposite side of the coin. And, you know, the way that we utilize our running backs in this offense, there is really the opportunity to have production at that position from more than one — most of the time, multiple players — at that position."

The NFL has changed drastically since the Walter Payton or even Emmitt Smith days. Nowadays, teams go through running backs quickly. 

It's been called a committee and there is good reason for it. There might not be another position on the field that takes more punishment than a running back going full throttle into a hole only to be met by a much bigger linebacker or safety. In fact, it has the lowest average expected length of playing career at 2.57 years, per Statista.

Of course, this is reactionary to only one game in his young professional journey. The Dolphins face a tough division opponent on the road in a Week 4 matchup with the Buffalo Bills, who will be a better test for Achane.

McDaniel will continue to use Achane as part of the best offense in the league. Bet on the rookie to continue his case for being the gem of the 2023 draft.