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Former Texas A&M running back Devon Achane had a prolific career in the SEC as a full-fledged speedster, but his 5'8.5", 188-pound frame made him a polarizing prospect among fantasy analysts and gamers.
Still, he was selected on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft in the third round by the Miami Dolphins. He'll clearly get a chance to play and produce in one of the league's most promising offenses in 2023 led by Mike McDaniel.
Is Achane a good fit for the Dolphins and what can we expect from him as a rookie in fantasy football? Let's dive in.
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What Did Devon Achane Accomplish At Texas A&M?
As a true freshman, Achane played sparingly, but he was electric on the field. He rushed 43 times for 364 yards (8.5 YPC) and four touchdowns and caught five passes for 97 yards and another touchdown during a COVID-shortened 2020 season.
In 2021, Achane shared the backfield with Chargers running back Isaiah Spiller, but he was the more efficient and explosive runner of the duo. He posted 910 rushing yards on 130 carries (7.0 YPC) and scored nine rushing touchdowns to go along with 24 receptions for 261 yards and a receiving touchdown.
In his 2022 junior campaign, he became the clear lead back -- rushing 196 times for 1,102 yards and eight rushing scores. He again upped his reception total, securing 36 passes for 196 yards and three receiving scores.
To make things more impressive, he had a productive season despite playing in one of the SEC's worst offenses. The Aggies finished only ahead of Kentucky and Vanderbilt in total offense last season in the SEC.
Achane posted the fastest 40-yard dash among running backs at the 2023 NFL Combine, posting a blazing 4.32 time. This cemented his chances to be a selection inside the first three rounds.
Is Devon Achane A Good Fit For The Dolphins?
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was Kyle Shanahan's run-game coordinator and then offensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers before getting a head coach job. His wide zone scheme is a perfect fit for Achane.
While Miami was a pass-first unit in 2022 and likely will be in 2023, Achane has a chance to be one of the league's most efficient runners. His only competition for touches is Jeff Wilson Jr. and Raheem Mostert. Both veteran backs are aging assets and have had plenty of injuries in their history.
That said, there's a low chance Achane is utilized as a workhorse back at just 188 pounds, so he may not provide weekly fantasy production in traditional start 'em, sit 'em leagues. He will be a great best ball dart throw in the later rounds -- as he should see at least a handful of spike weeks as he rips off big touchdown runs. Consider him a bench running back with RB2 potential as a rookie.
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