Fantasy Football: Ollie Gordon Outlook If De’Von Achane Can’t Play

The Miami Dolphins may not have De’Von Achane for their season opener, which means sixth-round rookie Ollie Gordon could be in store for a big fantasy football performance. Achane is currently battling a calf injury and, while he is expected to play in Week 1, he’s still limited in practices. With the rest of the depth chart banged up, Gordon could see a major role, but can you trust him in your lineup?

Ollie Gordon Fantasy Football Outlook If De’Von Achane Can’t Play

Ollie Gordon the Player

Before discussing what he can do for fantasy football, we must first discuss Ollie Gordon as a prospect. Based on his collegiate tape, Gordon is a hard-nosed, physical running back with a downhill style who needs a few steps to reach max speed, but can be a total battering ram. Weighing in at 6′-1″ and 226 pounds, he has the strength to knock over linebackers and carries just enough passing game versatility to be a weapon on checkdowns.

While he has the raw talent to be in the NFL, there’s a reason he was a sixth-round pick. Gordon lacks elite top speed, which is a red flag in Mike McDaniel’s offense. McDaniel built his offense around track stars in Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Achane himself, and Gordon’s 4.61 40-yard dash time doesn’t match with the rest of these weapons. Additionally, he’s strictly a straight-line runner and lacks the lateral agility to make players miss in space.

Ultimately, Ollie Gordon has a limited skillset but can be a valuable asset in both real-life and fantasy football in the right environment. The only question is whether or not the Dolphins provide that environment.

The Dolphins Depth Chart

If De’Von Achane cannot play, Ollie Gordon will be the only healthy running back on the Dolphins 53-man roster, as Jaylen Wright is expected to miss multiple weeks with a leg injury. However, this doesn’t mean the rookie will receive 100% of the touches, or even a majority.

Miami currently has veteran running back Jeff Wilson and JaMycal Hasty on the practice squad, and it’s safe to assume at least one of those players will be promoted to the active roster for Week 1. While both players are past their prime days, they could collectively outperform Gordon in Week 1. Wilson specifically is a threat to Gordon’s volume, as the veteran running back spent time with McDaniel with both the Dolphins and 49ers, knows the offense inside and out, and has proven he is a natural fit for this offense.

You should roster Ollie Gordon in fantasy football, but he carries too much risk to start in Week 1. Perhaps the rookie can earn a full-time role with De’Von Achane sidelined, but you never want to place too much faith in a rookie sixth-round pick making his NFL debut, especially when he’s playing behind a below-average offensive line.