The Miami Dolphins didn’t move Raheem Mostert (or anyone) on trade deadline day, but they’ve already seemingly moved him down their depth chart.
Mostert was a Pro Bowler in 2023, but the only Dolphins running back with any chance at a trip to Orlando this winter is De’Von Achane.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel will continue to use a by-committee approach at running back, but don’t be surprised if the distribution of labor continues to be a bit lopsided.
Miami Dolphins’ Vision for De’Von Achane
In his second NFL season, Achane has become the Dolphins’ true RB1.
He is the team leader in carries (93), rushing yards (420), touches (130), scrimmage yards (722), and offensive touchdowns (five).
Mostert, meanwhile, is a distant second in carries (55), rushing yards (214), touches (62), and touchdowns (2), and ranks fifth in scrimmage yards.
De’Von Achane's speed makes these Dolphins zone runs so dangerous when the edge gets sealed pic.twitter.com/sFZxXecuJV
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) November 4, 2024
Achane has a higher participation rate (38 snaps per game to 28.4) and usage rate (16.2 touches per game to 12.4). He averages 32.5 more scrimmage yards per game and more than a half-yard more per carry.
And most importantly, Achane has zero fumbles in 130 touches. Mostert has two in 62 — and they were both incredibly damaging.
Mostert’s second-half fumbles in two of the last three games provided the opposing team its margin of victory in each of those contests.
Mike McDaniel admonished Mostert postgame Sunday for his most recent. And our guess is we’ll see less Mostert and more rookie Jaylen Wright the second half of the season, so long as Wright can earn his coach’s trust to consistently carry out his assignment.
That’s not a concern with Achane, who in addition to serving as the Dolphins’ lead back is also their de facto No. 3 receiver. Only Tyreek Hill has more passing targets among Dolphins players in 2024.
De’Von Achane Outlook vs. Rams
Achane has taken the next step in his career the Dolphins had hoped he would after he set the NFL yards-per-attempt record in 2023 (7.8) among ball carriers with at least 100 attempts.
“He’s incredible, man,” said Dolphins tackle Terron Armstead. “He’s a special talent, he’s probably the most confident guy I’ve ever been around and that says a lot for somebody that’s so young into his journey and his career.
“But his confidence, his belief in his ability and his preparation is through the roof, so it’s no surprise to us in this building what he is doing – it’s no surprise to himself, at all. He feels like he should have 2,000 yards right now, but I love that about him, for real. I love playing, blocking for him, and I’ll try to do anything I can to give him a lane.”
Added Achane: “I’ve been this way ever since I started playing football at a young age. I just feel like I can go out and I can make plays and do a lot of things with the football, so the confidence that I have, it’s a mindset thing. I think if you don’t have confidence in yourself, then I think you’re playing the wrong sport.”
That confidence will be on display for a national TV audience Monday when the 2-6 Dolphins visit the 4-4 Los Angeles Rams in what’s essentially a must-win Week 10 game for Miami.
LA’s defense gives up the 10th-most points (24.3) and ninth-most rushing yards (135.1) per game. Opportunities will be there for the entire Dolphins running back room, but particularly their top option.
“Each week we try to make sure that we’re getting better than we did last week,” Achane said. “But I feel like there’s always more. I feel like I always can do more and that’s something that I pride myself on trying to go in and do better than I did last week. So I feel like for me, I always go to the next week making sure that I try [not[ to make the mistakes that I did last week.
“If it’s like not taking the right aiming point or just any little thing, I always try to judge myself and make sure that I correct it so as we go forward, I feel like this team, we got better from even last week even though we’re going to make sure that we can go into next week and make sure we’re better than we were last week.”