Dolphins to find ‘more ways’ to utilize De’Von Achane in offense after running back’s historic rookie season

Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane had one of the most explosive rookie seasons in recent memory and rewrote the NFL history books along the way. Achane gained 800 yards and eight touchdowns on just 103 carries, posting an absurd average of 7.8 yards per tote — the highest mark in league history for a running back with at least 100 carries. (Among all players, only Michael Vick and Randall Cunningham surpassed him.) He also tallied 27 receptions for 197 yards and three additional scores. And he did it all in just 11 games, one of which he left early due to injury.

The Dolphins will certainly be looking for ways to involve him further in Year 2.

“For him, the more he can understand the offense, the more ways he can get the ball,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. via the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “He had excellent ball production. … To find different ways to get the ball to people, whether it’s different types of pass routes, whether it’s different types of running schemes that you might be comfortable with, all those things. point of attack to play within this offense, that’s what this offseason really provides for him.”

As for what exactly that would look like, Achane gave a hint.

“Just me lining up in different positions, receiver-wise, running routes and stuff,” Achane said earlier this month. “That’s something we’re doing differently this year, so it’s something I’ve been doing in the offseason.”

In contrast to other defenders whose teams insisted on lining up all over the field, Achane actually spent a lot of time lining up in places other than the field during his rookie year. He played 300 snaps during the regular season, according to Pro Football Focus, and lined up in the slot or out 100 times. Among the 68 running backs who had at least 50 carries, only Cordarrelle Patterson — who began his career as a wide receiver and ran just half as many routes as Achane — lined up out of the backfield for most of his snaps.

Achane also caught the ball a lot when lined up in these positions. He had an NFL-high 13 carries for an NFL-high 131 yards when lined up in the slot or wide. Of those 13 runs, 10 gained at least five yards and four of them resulted in explosive gains. He was also the target of 21 passes, completing 16 of them for 122 yards. His 1.58 yards per route on those plays was nearly 0.6 yards better than the running backs average when lined up out of the backfield.

The second-year defensive back credits the Dolphins’ wide receivers with helping his development as a pass catcher in 2024.

“I have some of the best receivers in the room here,” Achane said. “During OTAs, I went around running routes with them when they weren’t here. I did that with them. Basically, why not? Our receiving room is one of the best, and if I want to do what they want I’ll do , it’s better to take tips and learn from them.”

Achane’s slight build (5-foot-10, 188 pounds) probably doesn’t lend himself to a bell cow role, but we’ve already seen how productive he can be as part of a team share in the backfield. He’ll likely share carries and touches again, perhaps with veteran running back Raheem Mostert and third-round rookie Jaylen Wright. Still, if Achane can further leverage his versatility and really impact the game as a receiver, it would help keep him on the field more often to make an even bigger impact, while also potentially making Miami’s offense even more explosive. .