There hasn’t been a Sunday in the past few weeks where rookie Dolphins running back De’Von Achane did not produce a highlight running through a defense. His early season stats are unreal as he makes his case to be considered as Rookie of the Year.
Even after not playing much in the first two games, Achane has stormed onto the scene in a major way being one of the most efficient running backs in the NFL. After a 151-yard day against the Giants on only 11 carries he pushed his per-carry average to a staggering 12.1 yards. That would be a great stat for a wide receiver, but for it to be coming from an undersized third-round running back is amazing.
DE'VON ACHANE TO THE END ZONE 🔥
The @MiamiDolphins extend their lead! 🐬
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/OrcpwwULbe
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 8, 2023
Here are the numbers that point to how much of a threat he is when he gets the ball in his hands.
- 38 attempts (34th in NFL)
- 460 rushing yards (2nd in NFL)
- 12.1 yards per carry (1st in NFL)
- 5 rushing touchdowns (5th in NFL)
Achane is the perfect fit in Miami where they want to play fast and put an extreme amount of pressure on opposing defenses. They already have the fastest team according to NextGen Stats where the Miami Dolphins holding six of the top ten spots. Within that 10, Achane hit speeds of 21.93, 21.76, and 21.5 with only his teammate Tyreek Hill edging him out at 22.01 for the top spot.
In a playful jab at his fellow track star Achane took a shot at Hill being caught from behind on Sunday with speaking with Cameron Wolfe from the NFL Network
De’Von Achane told me he was in Tyreek Hill’s ear about getting hawked on long catch. “How you get caught? Slow,” Achane told him.
Tyreek Hill got No.1 in @NextGenStats top speed with 22.01 MPH. Achane: “22 but don’t matter cuz he got hawked.”
Battle for NFL fastest man is on:
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 8, 2023
Rookie of the Year will be a good race this season as multiple first year players are having phenomenal starts to their careers. However, if Achane can keep this pace he’ll be among the finalist when voting starts to close out later this year. His speed is nothing new to Aggie fans and it’s great to see his skillset translate well into the NFL early.
We wish Achane health and success as he continues blow pass would be tacklers to what we hope becomes an award-winning season for the rookie tailback.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.