Fantasy Upside
Devon Achane is expected to have a major role in Miami’s offense as a rookie. He’s a versatile player who ended up being the only Power 5 player to score as a rusher, receiver, and return man in 2022. Achane features elite speed as he led all running backs at the NFL Combine this year with a 4.32 40-yard dash. He used that speed to run past defenses with an astounding 6.4 yards per carry on 369 carries in his college career. Achane also has skills as a receiving back, averaging a solid 3.6 receptions per game in his final season. Achane is a very talented player who landed in a great spot as coach Mike McDaniel knows how to utilize speed.
Fantasy Downside
While Achane has a lot of promise heading into 2023, he is still a rookie after all. He joins a Dolphins offense that retained veteran running backs Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr., both of whom had big roles in 2022. Plus there’s a looming threat that Miami will bring in another veteran back like Dalvin Cook or Ezekiel Elliott. Achane also has a small frame, being 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds. He’s not really built for carrying the ball 20+ times a game as a bell cow.
2023 Bottom Line
The Dolphins only had four NFL Draft picks in 2023, and they spent a 3rd-rounder on a running back. That’s pretty telling, and it indicates McDaniel and the coaching staff like what they have in Achane. His elite speed will undoubtedly result in some breakout big plays. The big question when it comes to Achane is volume. If he can see enough touches to stay consistently productive, then he’ll be someone you’ll want on your roster. Achane should be viewed around the RB30 mark, which makes him a strong value given his current ADP.
