Wrapping your mind around De’Von Achane’s value in Week 3 is difficult. On the one hand, the sophomore RB has looked fantastic through two games, racking up 265 scrimmage yards on 46 touches — the fourth-most of any player entering the week.
On the other hand, these aren’t your slightly older brother’s Miami Dolphins anymore. Mike McDaniel’s offense — which led the AFC in yards per play in 2023 (6.4) — has looked out of sorts in 2024 and things aren’t likely to get much better with Tua Tagovailoa sidelined until at least Week 8. Achane is no longer in a point-scoring utopia.
Still, this is a scenario where raw volume is going to trump environment, especially with Raheem Mostert (chest) likely not available for the Dolphins. It’s easy to forget with the start Achane’s had and the buzz that’s followed him all offseason, but Mostert produced 1,012 rushing yards and a league-high 18 rushing touchdowns last year. His absence is a massive one Miami’s ground attack.
This is also a pretty decent matchup. The Seahawks were torn apart by the Patriots’ rushing game in Week, surrendering 185 yards in the narrow victory. Yes, this script might not stay nearly as neutral, especially if Skylar Thompson struggles in his first start since 2022, yet that’s not exactly an issue with Achane, either. The running back leads the Dolphins in receptions, having hauled in all 14 of his targets so far this season. That includes all four targets Achane garnered with Thompson under center in the second-half of Week 2. He could very easily act as the former seventh-round pick’s safety blanket once again.
At the end of the day, Achane simply has too much opportunity and too much skill to be doubted. While Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jaylen Wright will play a role, Achane is a bell cow, a goal line option and an elite receiver all rolled into one. If anything, I hope prospective owners are scared away by Miami’s QB situation. It shouldn’t effect Achane at all.
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All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
