De’Von Achane named among NFL’s best young stars by PFF despite admitted need for improvement with Miami Dolphins in 2025

The Miami Dolphins' offense lacked the same explosiveness it had come to be known for in 2024, which saw Miami’s scoring dip this past season. It wasn’t just the byproduct of injuries to key players like Tua Tagovailoa, either — the Dolphins played a different brand of football. It was much more methodical. Few numbers better represent the shift than the efficiency of De’Von Achane’s yards per touch average.

Achane was a per-touch monster in 2023, averaging over seven and a half yards per touch on 130 touches as a rookie. In 2024? Achane’s per-touch figure fell to under five and a half, with his yards per carry figure on rush attempts falling more than three full yards per attempt. Achane totaled 47 plays for 10 or more yards in 2024 but just eight that went for at least 20. With fewer than half as many touches as a rookie, Achane posted 10 such 20-yard or longer plays.

Despite the statistical regression, Pro Football Focus shined the spotlight brightly on Achane this week, naming him to their list of the 25 best players in the NFL under the age of 25. Achane clocked in 21st overall on the list, a testament to both his dynamic ability as an offensive weapon and how good that rookie season was in 2023.

That is where the work remains for Miami to put Achane in the best position to be successful and maximize his impact. There is potential for an optimal usage for Achane to get the most bang for their buck with his offensive snaps. But finding that role will require him to cede some rushes to teammates to keep his influence on defenders’ eyes working overtime. Achane isn’t necessarily built to be a 300-carry workhorse player, but his versatility justifies finding ways to keep him on the field in a plethora of usages.

Think of how the New Orleans Saints found ways to maximize Alvin Kamara. Early in his career, his rushing reps were foiled with significant workloads for Mark Ingram and Latavius Murray. Kamara didn’t log more than 200 carries in a single season until his fifth year in the league. Yet thanks to a profound receiving game profile, Kamara logged at least 250 total touches in every season since his rookie year in 2017. Achane, as a point of reference, posted 203 carries in 2024.

Fewer potential carries doesn’t necessarily mean that Achane can’t be the leading rusher or break the 1,000-yard mark — a feat he has yet to achieve through two NFL seasons. As Achane pointed out last week when talking to the media, there’s a lot of meat left on the bone from his rush attempts this past season.

“...watching film, I felt like I left a lot of plays (on the field), or I felt like I could have (done) more. Going back and watching the year and the cut-ups, I feel like I left a lot of yards on the table,” said Achane.

“...like just the small details. I know I’m supposed to do this, but me trying to make a big play instead of just doing the right thing, and it was there.”

This is good news for the Dolphins. Self-awareness is a powerful tool, and Achane has admitted firsthand that he was at times trying to do too much. This took away from his execution of the scheme and can serve as a marker for improvement. It’s also a scary thought for opponents. Because even amid Achane’s statistical regression, he did post 1,499 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns in 2024. If the efficiency of his runs and the consistency of his execution returns this season? It would go a long way in breathing more life into the Dolphins’ explosive play ability in 2025.

Some of that responsibility lies with the team, too. They appear to have done the legwork necessary there by adding physical skill players like Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Pharaoh Brown to aid the perimeter blocking. Miami also bolstered the offensive line with additions such as James Daniels and Jonah Savaiinaea as the projected starting guards. 

Having a big-bodied hammer like Ollie Gordon II or Alexander Mattison to keep Achane’s touches more in line with his strengths as a player can help him stay true to his keys and execute, as well.

The 2025 season feels like a bit of a chemistry experiment for the Dolphins offensively. But if they get the components just right, it may mean the return of the home run ball for Achane. Yet the Dolphins should feel great knowing that, even when he’s not at his best, Achane can be held up against the best young stars in the game and still hold his own.