The Miami Dolphins are in play for an offensive lineman at No. 21 in the 2024 NFL Draft, and this class offers plenty of quality options. That may not be the only upgrade Miami sees in its ground game, though.
Entering his second season, Dolphins running back De’Von Achane was listed at 5-foot-9, 187 pounds, coming into the NFL — drawing comparisons to Warrick Dunn. However, his listed weight may be set to change in 2024.
That and more in today’s Dolphins news!
Miami Dolphins News Today
RB De’Von Achane Added Bulk Over Offseason
Achane rushed 103 times for 800 yards and eight touchdowns during his rookie season. His 7.8 yards per carry was a league-best and largely unprecedented. Many of his runs were outside of the tackles, but he’s looking to change that with some added bulk.
“Every offense I’ve been in for high school, college, it wasn’t just outside runs. Most of my big runs come from running in between the tackles,” Achane said via Palm Beach Post’s Joe Schad.
RELATED: De’Von Achane Dynasty Profile
Daniel Jeremiah Lists 3 Realistic OL Selections for Dolphins
NFL Network Draft Analyst Daniel Jeremiah is known for being an NFL Draft guru. He spoke with Dolphins reporters in a conference call, discussing the potential offensive linemen that the team could land at No. 21.
He listed six players: Notre Dame’s Joe Alt (the No. 4 overall prospect on PFN’s Big Board), Penn State’s Olu Fashanu (No. 9), Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga (No. 11), Washington’s Troy Fautanu (No. 13), Alabama’s JC Latham (No. 20) and Georgia’s Amarius Mims (No. 23).
The belief is that the top three players will not be in play for Miami. Jeremiah’s thought process is that the team will have a realistic opportunity to land the latter three, Pro Football Network’s Adam H. Beasley reported.
“The two that I feel great about is if somehow Fautanu got there or if it was Latham, in terms of being ready to go right away,” Jeremiah said. “Amarius Mims has the freaky upside, but with this Dolphins team, it feels like man, they’re ready to go right now. And I think the presence of somebody like Latham is just a little bit more prepared to step in right now and go.”
One other player that Jeremiah likes with the 21st pick is Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton. Jeremiah believes that Barton, who measured 6-foot-5, 313 pounds and played mostly left tackle in college, could play all five positions along the offensive line.
“I think he has legit five-position flexibility,” Jeremiah said. “He can move around, do different things, play left tackle. I think he’s best at center, but I think he can survive a tackle if you needed him to. I think he’s fully capable of playing guard as well, but he’s the best in space change of direction, you know, just overall athleticism.”
KEEP READING: Offensive Line Targets for Miami at No. 21
Getting To Know LB Cam Brown
The Dolphins looked to make upgrades to their special teams throughout the offseason. One addition to the mix was linebacker Cam Brown, who served as a special teamer for the New York Giants. The Penn State product has made 35 tackles in his career and has forced two fumbles.
Here’s what Beasley had to write about Brown:
“Brown, a native of suburban Washington, D.C., had just 35 tackles and three quarterback hits on defense with New York.
“However, he was a core special teamer in each of his four seasons, getting on the field for over 80% of the Giants’ snaps in the kicking game every year of his career.”
CONTINUE READING: Get To Know Miami’s New Linebacker
