BREAKING: Miami Dolphins Select Texas A&M RB Devon Achane No. 84 Overall
Devon Achane is headed to the 305.
Achane, a human highlight reel known for home run capability in the run and return game, was selected 84th overall by the Miami Dolphins. He will now join a roster that features speedy weapons like Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Cedrick Wilson and others.
A three-year contributor in College Station, Achane becomes the first of three Texas A&M Aggies prospects expected to hear their name called at some point during the three-day draft weekend. He also became the highest player selected from A&M since Kenyon Green, who was drafted No. 15 last season by the Houston Texans.
Speed is Achane's game, and the game has been profitable during his time in A&M's backfield. A native of Houston, the 5-9 runner made headlines as a freshman thanks to his 164-yard, two-touchdown performance against North Carolina in the Orange Bowl, in which he was named the game's MVP.
Achane split carries for two seasons as a situational runner with former first-team All-SEC runner and current Los Angeles Chargers Isaiah Spiller. Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher also prioritized him as the team's return specialist and on passing downs to build his reps.
Special teams should translate to Achane's role with the () with ease. As A&M's primary kickoff returner, Achane averaged 30.5 yards per kickoff. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, including a 98-yard return in a 41-38 upset win over then-No. 1 Alabama at Kyle Field in 2021.
Last season, Achane proved his capabilities as a lead back, rushing for a career-high 1,102 yards on 196 attempts. He finished with five 100-plus rushing yard performances, including a career-best 215-yard outing in his final collegiate game in a 38-23 upset win over then-No. 5 LSU.
"He can be an elite returner, he can be an elite receiver, and he has the ability to run with the football inside," Fisher said at A&M's Pro Day last month. "If you go back and watch, he's a good pass blocker. He's tough; he's physical. He understands how to do that.
"He's a very easy guy to coach and picks things up easy."
Considered one of the top prospects at his position, Achane solidified his draft stock by posting an unofficial 4.32 40-time at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, the fastest among all running backs. Achane 40 ranked third among 2023 prospects, trailing only Michigan cornerback D.J. Turner II (4.26) and Maryland defensive back Jakorian Bennet (4.30).
Last season Miami finished 25th in the run game behind players like Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson and Chase Edmonds. As an offense, the Dolphins finished 11th in scoring and posted a 9-8 record.
Achane was the fifth running back selected, trailing Texas' Bijan Robinson (No. 8 to Atlanta Falcons), Alabama's Jahmyr Gibb (No. 12 to Detriot Lions), UCLA's Zach Charbonnet (No. 52 to Seattle Seahawks) and Tulane's Tayjae Spears (No. 81 to the Tennessee Titans).
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