'I'm Very Excited!' Dolphins Coach Mike McDaniel on Aggies RB Devon Achane
The Miami Dolphins were already at a disadvantage in the 2023 NFL Draft due to the fact they had their first-round selection stripped away because of the tampering situation associated with Bucs QB Tom Brady.
But regardless of their awkward and unusual situation, head coach Mike McDaniel thinks they struck gold at No. 84.
Miami had met with Aggies running back Devon Achane several times in the weeks leading up to the draft but didn't think the fleet-footed athlete would still be available for them that late.
“Really, all of the players that I like in general, I’m kind of a pessimist in the draft because you want to be prepared for all specific situations, really,” McDaniel told reporters last night. “I think [G.M.] Chris [Grier] has caught on to that. And, yeah, I didn’t think he was going to be there. But that happens every draft and really I was very hopeful for both of our selections, but wasn’t totally positive they’d be there. I’m very excited about that opportunity we had.”
What impressed McDaniel most about Achane? He ran a 4.32 40-yard dash.
“I mean, speed we generally like around here,” McDaniel said. “But I think it’s more of you feel like there’s a fit in terms of a guy fitting within your existing team. You’re always keeping in mind that you’re adding players to the team and really think that that group in particular, the running back room for us is very important. You find a person and player that fits your skill set that you like but also that fits within the room because we have some other good competition in there as well. So we’re real excited to add a player to a group. And he is fast. Chris and I share that — we do have affection for that trait.”
In two seasons with the Dolphins, McDaniel has yet to make a first-round pick, but Miami has drafted well regardless in the later rounds.
And that's part of the key to building a championship team. A much-improving team that Devon Achane is now a part of.
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