Achane Led Miami in Offensive Touches in 2024
Dolphins running back De’Von Achane had more offensive touches than any other Miami player in 2024, racking up 281 combined carries and catches in his second year in the league. Despite his significant role in the offense and impressive production, 907 rushing yards and 592 receiving yards, the dual-threat back is aiming even higher for his third season in Miami.
Achane Sets Sights on 1,000 Rushing and 500 Receiving Yards
“This year probably – every year I want to get better – so as far as my numbers-wise, as far as in the rush game, I always want to try to hit 1,000 yards and then 500 yards (receiving),” Achane said this week, via team transcript.
“I feel like I can do that as far as how much I’m being used and like the pass game that I was last year because I had a lot of receptions, and me watching film I felt like I left a lot of plays or I felt like I could have did more. Going back and watching the year and the cut ups, I feel like I left a lot of yards on the table.”
From Rookie Breakout to Offensive Focal Point
Achane burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2023, collecting 800 rushing yards and 197 receiving yards with a combined 11 touchdowns, despite missing six games and starting only four. Most impressive from that year was Achane’s remarkable 7.8 yards per rushing attempt, a number few in NFL history have surpassed.
In 2024 he took on a more substantial role in the offense, nearly doubling his carries and tripling his receptions with 203 and 78, respectively. His carry total was more than double that of any of his Dolphins teammates, and his reception total ranked third on the team.
This workload translated into 1,499 total yards and 12 touchdowns. However, his yards per carry dipped to 4.5, a drop that led to his belief that more was left on the field.
Changes in the Running Back Room
Miami’s rushing offense declined overall in 2024, finishing 21st in total rushing yards after ranking sixth the year before. In response, the Dolphins made several moves aimed at improving the unit. Still, Achane remains a central figure in the team’s ground game.
The Dolphins added veteran Alexander Mattison, who brings six seasons of experience and 2,790 rushing yards, along with rookie sixth-round pick Ollie Gordon II and undrafted free agent Nate Noel. They’ll join Achane and second-year back Jaylen Wright in striving to boost Miami’s rushing performance in 2025.
New Teammates Could Shift the Dynamic
With his 1,000/500-yard goal in mind, Achane said he hopes to maintain the same type of workload as last season, including his active presence in the passing game. However, he also acknowledged the possibility of adjustments depending on how the new additions contribute.
“No, we haven’t discussed that, but I just feel like any addition to the room is good,” Achane said of how touches could be distributed. “It’s always good when you have a lot of backs and we’re all good at different areas. Everybody is better at something than somebody else and for us to have all of us dudes that can go out there and perform, I feel like that’s good to have in the room.”
Embracing Leadership Role
Meanwhile, the Dolphins lost their most experienced running back when Raheem Mostert departed for the Raiders. That leaves 23-year-old Achane as the longest-tenured back on the roster, a role he’s ready to embrace.
“It evolves a lot. I’ve still got Alec (Ingold) in there, so that’s a great role model to look after. But like you said, we don’t have Raheem no more, so it’s kind of me and Alec now and just me being. It’s a few new guys, I’m going to tell them the same thing everybody told me when I came in, trying to help them out,” Achane said.
“And I feel like just me being more vocal this year because I feel like I wasn’t a big talkative person last year, but I feel like as the years keep going, you grow everybody and you get more comfortable.”
Looking Ahead to 2025
Achane is now focused on achieving both his statistical goals and stepping into a leadership position as the Dolphins begin preparations for the 2025 season. The next phase begins with organized team activities at the end of the month.
