Miami Dolphins RBs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert have been staples for fantasy football managers so far this season. However, with a place in the fantasy championship final as the reward for a win this week, which one of Achane or Mostert should fantasy managers start this week?
Mostert comes into Week 16 as the RB2 overall in fantasy football. Meanwhile, De’Von Achane enters in this week as the RB24. However, both running backs have the same average points per game number with 17.4. This ranks third, behind only Kyren Williams and Christian McCaffrey.
Can fantasy managers trust both Mostert and Achane in their starting lineups for Week 16?
Should You Start De’Von Achane or Raheem Mostert This Week?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say that Mostert is the player to start. His projected 11.9 points include a projection of 62 rushing yards, 3 receptions, and 19 yards. That doesn’t seem like a big stat line, but it outperforms the consensus projection for Achane (9.1 points).
My ranking for the two Dolphins running backs aligns with the consensus due to the recent games in which both RBs have played since Achane returned from injury. Achane has only outscored Mostert once since Week 6, which was in Week 13 when the Dolphins defeated the Washington Commanders 45-15.
Achane had the majority of the carries in the second half to help him get some work as he returned from injury, and Mostert was rested.
Just last week, Mostert played on 58% of the snaps, while Achane played on only 39% of the snaps. Both ran routes on 45% of their snaps.
However, Mostert got all of the team’s six running back touches inside the 10-yard line. He also out-touched Achane 17-12, with a lot of Achane’s work coming in the second half when the result of the game was already secured.
And then there is the fact that Achane is currently on the injury report with a toe injury. He had a light week of practice, but head coach Mike McDaniel indicated on Friday that he expects Achane to suit up.
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However, he may be less than 100 percent.
It is clear from the usage that Mostert is viewed as the lead back right now. Therefore, fantasy managers should view the pairing in the same way they set their starting lineups.
De’Von Achane’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Achane has been a fantastic asset for fantasy managers so far this season when he has been available. Achane has achieved four games of over 21 fantasy points so far this season, which is the same amount as Mostert.
However, Achane’s last 21-point fantasy game was that Week 13 blowout of the Commanders when the Dolphins benched Mostert for the entire second half, as the game was all but already won.
And, unfortunately for fantasy managers, the ceiling for Achane will only come in decisive victories for the Dolphins. That is not something that is in Achane’s future for the rest of the fantasy season.
The Dolphins have yet to beat a team that has a winning record currently this year. And, seeing as they have the Dallas Cowboys this week, followed by the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills, it is hard to see a scenario where Achane gets significant volume in the second half of any of those matchups.
Therefore, Achane should be viewed as a low-end RB2/high-end RB3 for each of the three remaining matchups this season, as long as Mostert remains on the field and Achane can suit up and overcome his toe injury.
To see the latest injury news on Achane’s injury, you can view our PFN Player Tracker.
Raheem Mostert’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Mostert, as the RB2 in fantasy football, is a must-start in all fantasy formats for the remainder of the 2023 NFL season. He is the team’s clear lead option in this backfield. In close games, or games they are even trailing in, Mostert will get the majority of the team’s carries and high-value touches out of the backfield.
The Cowboys are only allowing 17.1 fantasy points per game to running backs, which is the 11th fewest allowed to running backs in the NFL so far this season. Therefore, Mostert should be viewed as a low-end RB1, with mid-range RB1 his upside if he can add to his 20 touchdowns so far this season.
Mostert should reach the milestone of 1,000 rushing yards this season on Sunday afternoon. He will likely be the fourth player to reach this mark after Christian McCaffrey hit it a couple of weeks ago, Kyren Williams reached it on Thursday Night Football, and James Cook is likely to hit the mark Saturday night against the Chargers, as he is just 32 rushing yards shy heading into the game.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!