Could De’Von Achane become the Miami Dolphins No. 3 receiving option?

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

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

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

“Throughout OTAs, I used to be going on the market working routes with them after they weren’t right here,” Achane stated. “I did that with them. Mainly, why not? Our receiver room is among the best, 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 vast receiver depth chart and the addition of Jonne Smith creates alternatives at tight finish, however keep in mind that passing to working backs is a theme in Mike McDaniel’s offense.

Miami’s 125 working again targets had 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 menace out of the backfield as 5 completely different backs noticed at the very least 15 targets.

With a yr to enhance sturdiness and higher perceive the offense, there’s a path for Achane to emerge because the group’s third receiving choice 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 concentrate on 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 greatest 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 towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the Wild Card Spherical.

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

The Dolphins improved the working again room by deciding on 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 yr.

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