Rookie Profile: De'Von Achane

De’Von Achane - RB - Texas A&M

NFL Draft Capital:

Miami Dolphins: Round 3, Pick 21 - 84th Overall

MSN.Com

Listed Measurables:

Height: 5’8 1/2"

Weight: 188 lbs

Arms: 29"

Hands: 8 1/2"

Draft Age: 21.7 Y/O

Early Declare: Yes

Breakout Age: 19.3

BMI: 27.8

2023 NFL Combine Grades:

40-Yard Dash: 4.32s

10-Yard Split: 1.51

Vertical Jump: 33”

Broad Jump: 9’3”

3 Cone Drill: 7.05s

20 Yd Shuttle: 4.36s

Bench Press: N/A

Career Notes:

24/7 Sports

De’Von Achane rushed for an absurd 4823 yards and 88 touchdowns rushing with 96 receptions for 2004 yards and 22 touchdowns receiving across three seasons as a starting running back at his high school in Missouri City, Texas just south of Houston.

Achane juggled a rigorous track and field schedule with dominating opposing youngsters on the gridiron, pulling a 4-Star recruit rating as a running back and a 5-Star recruit rating as a record-setting sprinter in track. Named Gatorade’s 2020 Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year, Achane was quickly building his resume as a highly sought-after collegiate athlete.

Every big program in college football attempted to recruit the dual athlete in the winter of 2019. Ultimately, Achane decided to remain in-state, signing a commitment letter with Texas A&M, a mere 90-minute drive north of his hometown.

Accolades:

NCAA Football:

• All-SEC First-Team Running Back (2022)

• All-SEC First-Team All-Purpose Player (2022)

• Phil Steele First-Team SEC Running Back (2022)

NCAA Track and Field:

• 3rd Ranked Indoor 60m - 6.63s

• 4th Ranked Outdoor 200m - 20.20s

• 9th Ranked Outdoor 100m - 10.14s

• 2021 First Team All-American 4x100m - 39.13s (7th)

• 2021 Second Team All-American 100m - 10.22s (11th)

• 2021 Second Team All-American 200m - 20.73s (14th)

Past Production/Collegiate Career:

Achane was rarely utilized outside of special teams usage as a true freshman while playing behind consensus top running back prospect Isaiah Spiller. The masses are quick to forget that Spiller was once viewed in the same light as fellow draft mate Breece Hall. There was little space for Achane to carve out development behind his highly touted teammate during his first season. Achane suited up for only eight games, rushing for 354 yards on 43 carries, boasting a ridiculous 8.5 YPC with four touchdowns while adding five receptions for 97 yards (19.4 YPR), flashing his big-play ability in both areas of the offense. Despite limited production and playing time, Achane enjoyed an astounding late-season breakout during the Orange Bowl. The walking house call trounced UNC with 140 rushing yards and two touchdowns on only 12 carries (11.6 YPC) en route to being named the game’s MVP. 

Achane would hit the ground sprinting as a sophomore (quite literally) with a blow-up game in Week 1 against an outmatched Kent State defense. Still the backup, Achane received 12 carries, rushing for 124 yards (10.3 YPC) and two touchdowns, leaving several to question Spiller’s placement atop the depth chart, or at the very least, Achane’s placement at the bottom. With his undeniable utility, Texas A&M made a conscious decision to utilize Achane’s Olympic-level speed in all facets. During his second season, Achane put up 1,462 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns as a rusher, receiver and returner, including a monstrous 96-yard touchdown return against Alabama which sparked a monumental upset over the nation's top-ranked team.

As a junior, Achane entered his third and final season as the undeniable starter while Spiller was earning several negative tags as an NFL Draft bust. The track star handled a majority opportunity share for his alma mater, rushing for 1102 yards on 196 attempts (5.6 YPC), adding 36 receptions for 196 yards (5.4 YPR) with a healthy target share of 12.6% and 11 total touchdowns (8 Rushing/3 Receiving). The junior also maintained dominance as a returner, averaging 28.4 yards per return with one touchdown.

Flashing incredible open-field speed, underrated vision and unmatched per-touch production, Achane and his team elected to declare early for the NFL Draft, ending his tenure after three collegiate seasons.

Stats to Know:

24/7 Sports

• Boasts a 99th percentile weight-adjust Speed Score despite measuring at 5’8” and 188 lbs at the 2023 NFL Combine.

• Forced 53 missed tackles on 196 attempts, gaining an elite 89.8 rushing grade from PFF.

• 42 rushing attempts >20 yards in three seasons in the SEC.

• Created 1452 total yards after contact during his tenure with Texas A&M.

• Averaged a whopping 3.0 Yards Per Team Rush Attempt in 2022.

2020 Stats:

6 GP

43 CAR

11.7% RSH Share

364 YDS (4 TD)

8.5 YPC

17.6% RSH YDS Share

0.99 RSH YDS/TA

5 REC

2.6% REC Share

5 TGT

1.7% TGT Share

97 YDS (1 TD)

1.2 RY/TPA 

15.5% REC YDS Share

19.4 YPR

5.0% REC TD Share

48 Touches

461 Scrimmage Yards (5 Total TD)

9.6 YPT

10.4% Total OFF. YDS Share

12.1% Total OFF. TDS Share

42.7 Scrimmage YPG

2021 Stats:

12 GP

130 CAR

31.8% RSH Share

910 YDS (9 TD)

7.0 YPC

40.8% RSH YDS Share

2.22 RSH YDS/TA

24 REC

11.5% REC Share

29 TGT

8.1% TGT Share

261 YDS (1 TD)

0.70 RY/TPA 

10.4% REC YDS Share

10.9 YPR

5.2% REC TD Share

154 Touches

1171 Scrimmage Yards (10 Total TD)

24.7% Total OFF. YDS Share

27.7% Total OFF. TDS Share

7.6 YPT

97.6 Scrimmage YPG

2022 Stats:

10 GP

196 CAR

54.4% RSH Share

1102 YDS (8 TD)

5.6 YPC

64.5% RSH YDS Share

3.0 RSH YDS/TA

36 REC

16.3% REC Share

44 TGT

12.3% TGT Share

196 YDS (3 TD)

0.4 RY/TPA 

7.4% REC YDS Share

5.4 YPR

16.6% REC TD Share

232 Touches

1298 Scrimmage Yards (11 Total TD)

29.9% Total OFF. YDS Share

36.6% Total OFF. TDS Share

5.6 YPT

129.8 Scrimmage YPG

Collegiate Career Totals:

WBSNSports

28 GP

369 RSH

32.6% RSH Share

2376 YDS (21 TD)

6.4 YPC

65 REC

78 TGT

7.4% TGT Share

554 YDS (5 TD)

8.5 YPR

434 Touches

2930 Scrimmage Yards (26 Total TD)

6.8 YPT

104.64 YPG

89.9 Elusive Rating

Collegiate Career Bests:

12 GP

196 CAR

54.4% RSH Share

1102 YDS (8 TD)

5.6 YPC

64.5% RSH YDS Share

3.0 RSH YDS/TA

36 REC

16.3% REC Share

44 TGT

12.3% TGT Share

261 YDS (3 TD)

0.7 RY/TPA 

10.4% REC YDS Share

10.9 YPR

16.6% REC TD Share

232 Touches

1298 Scrimmage Yards (11 Total TD)

29.9% Total OFF. YDS Share

36.6% Total OFF. TDS Share

5.6 YPT

129.8 Scrimmage YPG

Scouting Report:

NFL Draft Grade: 6.23 (Will Eventually Be Average Starter)

Next-Gen Draft Grade: 77 (Good)

NFL Production Score: 73 (2023 RB Draft Class Rank: 11th)

NFL Athletic Score: 75 (2023 RB Draft Class Rank: 7th)

NFL Total Score: 77 (2023 Draft Class Rank: 10th)

Scouting Strengths:

gigemgazette.com

• Legitimate Olympic-level sprinter speed with a verified 10.14s 100m dash as a track and field superstar.

• Excellent footwork. Shows patience behind blockers.

• Does not shy away from running between the tackles despite his lack of size.

• Utilizes deceptive changes of speed to break down each level of the opposing defense, proving to be a capable three-down weapon.

• Shockingly strong for his size. Held up without injury against top-tier SEC defenses

• Evasive even in a phone booth. Achane’s like a magician in tight spaces.

• Can create on his own, exhibiting an ability to take more than the offensive line leaves open.

• Ridiculous lateral quickness to go along with unmatched straight-line speed.

• Capable pass-catcher with an extensive route tree and the ability to line up as a short-yardage slot receiver.

Scouting Weaknesses:

• Outlier size. Achane measured in at a mere 5’8 ½” and 188 lbs at the 2023 NFL Combine, making him a long-short to earn meaningful volume in the pros.

• Shortened wingspan causes unfortunate drops as a receiver.

• Limited collegiate production while stuck behind a replacement-level running back in Isaiah Spiller.

• May lack the upper body strength to shed NFL defenders at first contact.

• NFL Scouts and GMs share durability concerns with the running back.

• Does not offer any upside as a pass-blocker.

Top NFL Player Comparisons:

24/7 Sports

Kenneth Walker III

Rhamondre Stevenson

Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Devin Singletary

Kareem Hunt

Alvin Kamara

Chris Johnson

Jordan Howard

Ameer Abdullah

James White

Future NFL/Fantasy Outlook: 

Truthfully, there is no easy way to bucket De’Von Achane’s range of outcomes as a dynasty asset. The Texas A&M alum possesses otherworldly speed that few humans share. His fearless running style against much larger opponents is a stark paradox when assessing the speedster’s miniature frame. Achane has special creativity in open space with instantaneous scoring potential packed behind every touch.

The only negatives surrounding the rookie’s dynasty profile and range of outcomes are his lack of size and therefore utility on all three downs. Volume is the undeniable king in fantasy, especially at the running back position. Size and durability concerns may forever limit Achane’s ascension as a three-down workhorse but the young back is more than talented enough in all facets to prove the detractors wrong.

It is worth noting that Achane has stayed relatively healthy during his collegiate career, dispelling all negative narratives surrounding his durability once he was named the starter during his junior season. Maintaining a three-down workload against SEC defenses is a noteworthy accomplishment and a positive bullet point on the undersized rookie’s resume. Additionally, Achane has stated publicly that his grueling track and field schedule kept him from training on the football field full-time during the offseason. Competing at the national level in track and field caused the dual athlete to maintain an extra lean frame. With an entire offseason to focus on gaining weight and adding muscle, the newest member of the Dolphins’ is reportedly already up to 192 lbs before preseason has begun.

The largest positive in Achane’s draft process is the picture-perfect landing spot with the Dolphins in what is inarguably the fastest offense in the NFL led by offensive mastermind Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins' new rookie will have an immediate chance to prove himself within a system specifically catered for players with game-breaking speed.

Achane’s ceiling as a dynasty asset is sky-high but with a volatile floor as the rookie will look to rely heavily on breakaway touchdown runs and incredible per-touch efficiency to maintain consistent value and production.

Much respect, thank you for reading. If you have any continued thoughts and would like to share, I am always available for an open conversation on Twitter: @PsychWardFF or Instagram: @psychwardff.

You can find my other works as the Lead Writer and DOC at BRoto Fantasy Football.

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By Matt Ward