Dolphins rookie reaches historic feat in regular season finale
from Aaron Becker, with YardBarker.com/www.yardbarker.com
There weren’t a lot of good things to take away from the Dolphins’ (11-6) 21-14 loss to the Bills (11-6) on “Sunday Night Football.” But one of Miami’s rookies reached a historic feat in the regular season finale.
According to ESPN’s Field Yates, rookie RB De’Von Achane had the most yards per rush (7.8) by any running back with at least 100 rushes since Bears RB Beattie Feathers averaged 8.4 yards per rush in 1934.
It took Achane some time at the beginning of the season to find his role in the Dolphins offense. But as soon as he did, he took off running. The 22-year-old rushed for 800 yards and eight touchdowns on just 103 carries as the primary backup running back this year.
Achane, the No. 84 overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, has proven to be one of the biggest steals and Miami will likely continue relying on him in the postseason with several key playmakers injured.
Veteran RB Raheem Mostert, who did not play Sunday night due to knee and ankle injuries, is one of them. He should be ready for the team’s postseason run, but he received the bulk of the carries this season (209). Achane would provide young, fresh legs this late into the year, which is rare to find.
Mostert and Achane pride themselves on being home-run hitters. Any time the two running backs, who have sub-4.35 40-yard dash times, touch the ball, they could take it the distance.
Achane’s latest example was his 25-yard touchdown run on Sunday night. His next may just come in Kansas City next weekend.