The Miami Dolphins face a demanding offseason ahead, but their foundational strength remains intact, contingent upon finding avenues to alleviate some salary cap constraints.
An intriguing element of this foundation is De’Von Achane, the running back who displayed promise during his rookie season in the professional league. Pro Football Focus labeled Achane as the Dolphins’ “early breakout candidate” on January 26.
Jonathon Macri, the writer, justified this choice by noting, “There’s a case to argue that Achane’s debut season was a breakout, having amassed over 800 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. However, Achane achieved this feat in just 119 offensive snaps (ranking 49th) over 11 regular-season games, while also serving as a backup to Raheem Mostert.”
“Mostert is slated to remain with the team in 2023 but will be 32 years old, possibly necessitating a reduced workload,” continued Macri. “Given Achane’s efficiency with his opportunities, an expanded role and a full season could lead to a genuine breakout for the third-round pick of 2023, even if he doesn’t maintain his remarkable 7.9 yards per carry.”
Assessing the Ascendance: Comparing De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert’s Impact on the Miami Dolphins’ Future
This is not to diminish Mostert’s remarkable career season, which included 1,012 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns, but the focus for the Dolphins’ future lies with Achane.
Miami’s offense becomes more dynamic with Achane’s presence on the field, partly due to his ability to turn any touch into a big gain. Interestingly, this was once Mostert’s forte when he was younger.
In the 2023 season, Achane nearly surpassed Mostert in various aspects, despite having about half the number of attempts, according to PFF. For instance, the rookie broke free on 13 designed rushing attempts for gains of 15 yards or more, while the veteran managed only 14 such runs.
Achane’s breakaway percentage was approximately 22% higher, and he also averaged more yards after contact per attempt, with 4.94 compared to Mostert’s 3.35.
Furthermore, Achane had only eight fewer “explosive runs” of over 10 yards than Mostert, despite having nearly double the opportunities. Their respective PFF “elusive ratings,” a measure of a runner’s success independent of blocking, favored Achane significantly:
– Achane’s PFF elusive rating: 142.3.
– Mostert’s PFF elusive rating: 89.7.
Considering Achane’s burgeoning potential in the passing game as the season progressed, it’s reasonable to anticipate the 22-year-old playmaker’s increased snap percentage in his second year, assuming good health.
Mostert managed to hold his ground in certain areas relative to his number of attempts, including first downs, missed tackles forced, and touchdowns. However, he merely matched Achane’s performance in these aspects without necessarily being more effective.
