Devon Achane isn’t a name who has come up often for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL draft so far.
But ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has changed that recently while outlining what he projects as some of the best fits in the draft for prospect-team fits.
Achane out of Texas A&M is his pick for the Bengals:
Why he fits: With Samaje Perine singing in Denver and Joe Mixon’s future with the team a little cloudy at this point, Achane fits in the Bengals’ run game due to his traits and play style. The speed pops here on tape. Achane ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the combine, and he plays big despite his smaller frame. He’s decisive and determined in downhill schemes, with the perimeter ability to bounce the ball to daylight. Achane averaged 5.6 yards per carry last season. And the receiving skills are there, too — he brought down 36 catches and scored three receiving TDs in 2022.
Achane is another one of those super productive, great-testing prospects who would be a no-brainer of a fit for the Bengals as — at worst — a rotational back in the attack.
As always, the Bengals were surprised by losing Samaje Perine in free agency and what they end up doing with Joe Mixon is hard to say.
On paper, Achane wouldn’t necessarily be a lone workhorse back to replace both guys, but the Bengals have also apparently got options like Ezekiel Elliott in free agency still, if necessary.
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