Is De'Von Achane or Raheem Mostert the RB1 for the Dolphins?

May 6, 2024

Is De'Von Achane or Raheem Mostert the starting running back for the Miami Dolphins in 2024? Read the 2024 fantasy football outlook and analysis.

Ever since Mike McDaniel took over as head coach and Tyreek Hill joined the roster ahead of the 2022 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins have been a hotbed for fantasy football production. Last year, Miami had a top-10 fantasy QB, two top-24 fantasy RBs, a top-three fantasy WR, and another top-35 fantasy WR.

After De'Von Achane posted 233 total yards and four touchdowns in Week 3 of his rookie campaign, he became the hottest name in fantasy football -- yet veteran Raheem Mostert continued to lead the backfield en route to an RB2 season in half-PPR formats. Needless to say, this backfield will draw plenty of interest in 2024, so it's time to take an early peek at the potential touch distribution.

Is Achane or Mostert the starting running back for Miami? Where does rookie Jaylen Wright fit in? Let's dive in!

Is De'Von Achane or Raheem Mostert the RB1 for the Dolphins?

De'Von Achane

In 11 games as a rookie, Achane rushed 103 times for 800 yards (7.8 YPC) and eight touchdowns and caught 27 of his 37 targets for 197 yards and three scores. Unfortunately, the sub-190-pound back spent time on the Injured Reserve list, or he likely would've posted 1,000-plus rushing yards at a ridiculous efficiency clip. He reportedly looks bigger heading into his sophomore campaign, but there is likely a limit to how much bulk he can add without compromising his world-class speed.

De'Von Achane and the Dolphins are on the board first!

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Raheem Mostert

Despite entering the 2023 campaign at 31 years old, Mostert enjoyed the best season of his nine-year career. He posted 1,012 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns to go along with 25 receptions for 175 yards and three more end zone trips. His workload and output might have seen a dip if Achane hadn't sustained a knee injury in the middle of his rise to prominence, but Mostert clearly still has the speed and juice to be an effective back well beyond the average running back age apex.

2024 Outlook

The Dolphins signed Mostert to a one-year contract extension this offseason, though the team can cut him after the 2024 season without much penalty. Either way, he remains on the roster this year and he'll likely continue to be a key contributor in the high-flying Miami offense.

While fantasy managers are itching to see Achane in a true workhorse role, it's unlikely to happen due to his size and touch competition in the backfield. Given his efficiency and ability to create one-play touchdowns from anywhere on the field, that shouldn't be a major concern. The days of teams using one back are almost over, and only a handful of teams still use that strategy.

It's worth noting that Achane is being selected as the ninth running back off the board in early FFPC fantasy drafts, while Mostert usually slips to the RB26 range. Because of the price disparity, there's a real argument that Mostert is the better Dolphins' ball carrier to target. Both have solid floors and RB1 upside, so the discount on the veteran is attractive.

Jaylen Wright Fantasy Football Outlook

Wright is a fun handcuff RB to stash this season, as he's another speed-burner who could excel in Miami's offense should Mostert or Achane have to miss time. It's difficult to find a significant role for him if the Dolphins' top two backs are healthy, but he's likely an injury away from at least fringe-FLEX consideration as a rookie.

Fantasy managers who love to use a "Zero-RB" strategy should consider scooping him up in the final rounds of drafts.

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