May De’Von Achane develop into the Miami Dolphins No. 3 receiving possibility?

De’Von Achane showcased game-breaking velocity with a mean of seven.8 yards on 103 carries final season and is gearing as much as be a well-rounded risk shifting ahead.

The Solar Sentinel’s David Furones reported that Achane had two offseason objectives — getting sturdy and bettering his route-running. Final season he performed in solely 11 video games due to a preseason shoulder sprain and an MCL sprain suffered in opposition to the New York Giants.

When wholesome, he noticed at the very least three targets in seven video games and completed the 12 months with 27 receptions for 197 yards and three touchdowns — on high of 800 yards on the bottom.

“Throughout OTAs, I used to be going on the market operating routes with them once they weren’t right here,” Achane mentioned. “I did that with them. Principally, why not? Our receiver room is without doubt one of the biggest, and if I need to do the stuff they need me to do, may as nicely take suggestions and be taught from them.”

All indicators level to Odell Beckham Jr. being No. 3 on the broad receiver depth chart and the addition of Jonne Smith creates alternatives at tight finish, however keep in mind that passing to operating backs is a theme in Mike McDaniel’s offense.

Miami’s 125 operating again targets have been fifth-most within the NFL final season, which is fascinating contemplating that tight finish Durham Smythe was third on the group with simply 43 targets. The Dolphins struggled to discover a constant risk out of the backfield as 5 totally different backs noticed at the very least 15 targets.

With a 12 months to enhance sturdiness and higher perceive the offense, there’s a path for Achane to emerge because the group’s third receiving possibility behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

He created a league-best 4.94 yards after contact per try final season, which led the NFL. With an improved deal with catching the soccer, Achane can take fewer probabilities of going through bodily defensive linemen within the trenches whereas persevering with to be featured in one of many league’s finest offenses.

As a rookie, issues picked up for Achane by Dec. 3, closing the season with at the very least three targets in six of the season’s remaining seven video games, together with three receptions on six targets in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the Wild Card Spherical.

Regardless of the sluggish begin for Achane, Miami tried to get different operating backs concerned via the air. Salvon Ahmed noticed at the very least three targets in six video games earlier than struggling a season-ending foot damage. Raheem Mostert caught seven go makes an attempt for 60 yards and a landing in opposition to the Denver Broncos however noticed at the very least three targets simply 4 instances. He averaged roughly one goal per sport from Oct. 29 via Jan. 13.

The Dolphins improved the operating again room by choosing Jaylen Wright within the fourth spherical of April’s NFL Draft, however the second-team ALL-SEC tailback now faces the identical rookie-related hurdles Achane battled final 12 months.

Miami enters the season stacked with top-end expertise and there’s anticipated to be competitors for snaps at operating again. That mentioned, there are indicators suggesting Achane’s headed towards a breakout marketing campaign in 2024.