Miami Dolphins‘ RBs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane ran wild all over the Denver Broncos in Week 3. While this is fantastic for fantasy football managers with both players, who is a better start in Week 4?
Achane’s performance was likely on many managers’ benches after doing nothing the first two weeks. Can you trust one or both backs this week?
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Raheem Mostert’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Mostert is the RB1 overall on the season. He’s averaging 17 opportunities per week between 14 carries and three targets. Before the Week 3 blowout of the Broncos, he was up over 70% of snaps in the first two weeks. Now he gets the Buffalo Bills hoping to keep it rolling, but can he?
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Yes, yes, he can. Among players with at least 15 rush attempts on the season, Mostert has the sixth-best yards per carry at 5.9. He’s averaging TWO TDs per game so far. While unlikely to keep up, his home-run speed gives him a chance on any play.
Mostert has also been a reliable receiving option for Tua Tagovailoa, catching all 10 of his targets on the year for another 79 yards. This includes seven in Week 3, which might have been a result of missing Jaylen Waddle, but we’ll find out.
Mostert is on fire to start 2023, and now isn’t the time to get cute with the Dolphins’ RB1 except…
De’Von Achane’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Did you see what Achane did in Week 3? For perspective, Achane is the RB5 on the season now. He scored 1.4 half-PPR points combined in Weeks 1 and 2 and 49.3 points in Week 3. After being the hottest waiver add of the week or burning that output on benches, is Achane a must-start option for Week 4?
He’s pretty close, as that ceiling alone likely keeps him in flex conversations. One thing to note was backup RB Salvon Ahmed missed Week 3, giving Achane the backup job. While the performance likely keeps Achane there, Ahmed may see some snaps if he is able to return in Week 4.
Achane outcarried Mostert in the first quarter of Week 3, four carries to three. Mostert did see several targets, but it was not solely game script that led to time for Achane.
Achane scored his first two TDs before Mostert scored any as well, so the roles don’t seem to preclude Achane from scoring in closer games.
Which of the Dolphins RBs Should You Start?
The matchup is the other main thing to touch on when discussing the Dolphins RBs. The Buffalo Bills have a run-funnel defense that’ll lead to plenty of opportunities for both RBs.
The Bills have allowed the fewest points to fantasy QBs, third-fewest to fantasy WRs, and seventh-fewest to fantasy TEs. While that’s the 11th-fewest at RB, let’s dive into that.
The Bills have done a couple of things that mask RB production against them. For one, they’re one of eight teams not to allow a rushing TD.
The New York Jets kept Week 1 close, but the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders couldn’t score with the Bills and had to abandon the run game. They’ve allowed 5.9 yards per carry on the year, the worst mark in the NFL.
With the Dolphins’ multi-faceted attack, they’ll be able to stick with the running game and should continue their success. So which back to start? Honestly, both are probably worthwhile starts.
Mostert is the preferred back and is likely a top-12 option in Week 4. Achane’s upside makes benching him hard, and he is a fine Flex or even RB2 player.
MORE: Week 4 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet
If you are lucky enough to roster both Miami RBs, while it’s not typically advisable to start multiple RBs from the same backfield, it’s not wild with these two. Their home-run-hitting prowess means they can pay off in one touch.
Both have 40+ point potential weekly and could see 12-18 touches each. TDs will fluctuate, but I’m guessing the Bills allow one (or more) this week.