One of my favorite players in the 2023 NFL Draft was De'Von Achane, not just because of his big-play speed but his potential to be an every-down player in a non-conventional role. While he can line up as a traditional running back, that may not necessarily be his strength. He catches the ball exceptionally well and he's improving as a route runner each year and his comfort level in Mike McDaniel's offense is allowing him to play much more freely.
Asking a young player in McDaniel's complex offense to simultaneously grasp passing game and run game concepts would've caused him to think entirely too much while on the field. McDaniel chose to utilize him primarily in the running game in 2023 as he accumulated 800 yards and eight touchdowns on just 103 carries. He also added 197 yards and three touchdowns on 27 receptions. Through Week 8, Achane has already surpassed last season's reception total with 29 grabs, which means he could be well on his way to over 60 receptions as long as he stays healthy.
Those numbers show just how much emphasis was placed on integrating Achane into the passing game this offseason. As it stands, Achane is the 11th-rated running back in Fantasy, averaging 14.3 Fantasy points per game. His Fantasy output is due in large part to his production as a receiver. As Heath stated in his Fantasy Risers and Fallers story, Achane is a PPR cheat code. Heath fully expects Achane to be ranked as a top-10 running back moving forward and offered up a unique comparison for him now that starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is back in the lineup.
"The rushing efficiency as we've seen over the last few weeks maybe is going to come and go," Heath said. "But the big thing, the first two games with Tua (Tagovailoa), he had seven targets in each game. This week he gets back, he gets eight targets in this game. He looks like Alvin Kamara."
In terms of usage, he can be used in a similar fashion compared to Kamara, but in terms of playing style, the two are a Grand Canyon apart. Where they're similar is that both players are essentially moveable chess pieces. They allow a playcaller to change personnel without substitution. He can move to running back or wide receiver on any given play, which enables an offense to go from 11 personnel to 12 personnel or empty simply by moving him around. Moving him around the formation allows the Dolphins offense to create mismatches just the way Sean Payton did with Kamara for years.
Where they differ is that Kamara's lower body strength and balance allowed him to maximize yardage. Achane's strength lies in his game-breaking speed. Achane boasts a 10.14 personal best in the 100-meter dash, and in most cases, if he gets into the second level of a defense, there aren't too many defenders in the secondary that are going to catch him. Where he can stand to improve is his legs going dead on contact, but if the opposing defense is unable to trip him up before he gets to top speed, it's likely going to be six points.
Achane plays a critical role for the Dolphins offense. Every quarterback who isn't mobile needs an outlet valve, such as Achane. When there's nothing available vertically down the field, he's the player who can pick up cheap yards to keep the offense on schedule. If that player happens to be a home run hitter, it's not uncommon to see a few short throws go for long touchdowns. In addition to the offensive line, he's responsible for keeping Tua upright. In an effort to ensure Tua stays healthy for the remainder of the year, Fantasy managers can bank on Achane getting several more targets this year in the short to intermediate game.
Achane is projected to reach 17.10 Fantasy points in Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills, but their linebackers and safeties don't matchup particularly well with him from a sheer athleticism standpoint. Don't be shocked to see him surpass his projected Fantasy points total.
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