Dolphins speedster De’Von Achane has already stormed past last year’s total touches — and handling it well

MIAMI GARDENS Miami Dolphins second-year running back DeVon Achane continues to be one of the NFLs most electric, exciting players to watch.

And better yet, he is seen with the ball in his hands more and more as he handles his increased workload in Year 2 without issue.

Achane has stormed past last years total touches, 168 in 10 games this year after having 130 in 11 games in 2023.

He surpassed his rookie-year carry total two games ago now at 122 after having 103 attempts last season.

And after catching 27 passes last year, his 46 thus far as a second-year pro have him within reach of doubling that mark by Sundays game against the New England Patriots .

The best part about it all, as Achane has been productive at 4.3 yards per carry along with being more active catching passes, is he hasnt brushed up with any injury concerns.

This after the 5-foot-9, 188-pound speedster had a pair of knee issues in 2023, one which placed him on injured reserve to miss four games.

I feel good, Achane said this week.

Im just glad Im 100 percent healthy.

I didnt have any injuries like I did last season, so Im just trying to keep that up, just make sure my body is maintained for the rest of the season.

The concussion that took him out early in the first meeting with the Patriots, Oct.

6 in Foxborough, Massachusetts, didnt even cost him the next game as he recovered over the bye week.

He did return to action with a Guardian cap over his helmet, but Sundays game against the Las Vegas Raiders was the first one he played without it.

In that 34-19 win against the Raiders , he had 17 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown, adding four catches for 32 yards.

He had 21 touches, while rookie Jaylen Wright had six and veteran Raheem Mostert had three.

Related Articles Coach Mike McDaniel went into the game expecting to distribute opportunities more among his three running backs, but Achanes productivity again couldnt be kept off the field.

DeVons play merited some extra snaps that we were kind of anticipating being a little more level, he said.

He was really playing well, so in those situations we kind of lean on the hot hand, so to speak, and I think hes really made it difficult in in-game situations, the last two in particular, to take him off the field.

But we try to leave that room for guys to decide for us during the game on how much play time theyll get and respond appropriately.

Achane hasnt broken off as many long runs that led to his absurd modern-era record of 7.8 yards per attempt as a rookie, but McDaniel noted how Achane has been more consistent in the run game, turning plays that could go for loss of yards into significant gains.

Catching passes was an emphasis for Achane this offseason, and he has a reception on all but five of his targets this season as he has become a go-to for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa while defenses focus in so much on wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Related Articles We basically just take what the defense gives us, said Achane, feeling at some point defenses will adjust to open things back up for Hill and Waddle.

Weve been doing it pretty much all season, so you expect for the defense to try to cover it.

Said offensive coordinator Frank Smith of Achane: Whatever the game requires, hes ready for it, and hes done a great job with everything just making sure hes ready to go for the season.

He handles everything like a professional, and hes been helping us win.

So, excited for everything hes done.

Then, theres the other side of Achanes uptick in work.

The other half of last years backfield duo, Mostert, isnt seeing nearly as much action.

Hes doing a good job, Mostert said of Achane.

Hes hot right now, and its good to see.

Hes very impressive.

Ive dealt with a lot, but Im here to play a role.

And thats just to get myself better, get everybody else around me better.

If my opportunity knocks, I just got to answer the door.

Mostert recently had a sit-down with McDaniel, with whom he goes back to time together in San Francisco, before either of them arrived in Miami.

We just try to see eye to eye.

Thats the best thing we can do, Mostert said.

We had a good conversation, and we see eye to eye now.

Moving forward, I told him, he can always come to me, and Im going to come to (him), as well.

We have a lot in common, and a lot of things that we discussed.

It was beneficial..

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