'Runs very hard for how small he is' — NFL executive gives backhanded compliment to Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane

Miami Dolphins RB De'Von Achane has had a strong start to his NFL career, and that success has started to turn heads in the NFL community, both on the fantasy football side of things as well as the real one. 

ESPN's Ben Solak put out a list of the top 10 running backs in the NFL based upon votes from coaches, executives, and scouts around the league, and while Achane was outside the top 10, he did receive honorable mention. 

This was the criteria as stated by Solak: 

"A reminder of the rankings process: Voters gave us their 10 best players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. In total, more than 70 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases all positions. Additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed helped us break any ties."

Solak quoted an anonymous NFL executive regarding Achane, and this is what the exec had to say: 

"Elite speed and explosion. Could wear down because he's small. Similar to Gibbs. He just gets banged up. Runs very hard for how small he is and should get out on the perimeter more as a pass catcher."

It's easy to point out Achane's size and durability, and naturally it's potentially easier to get banged up when you don't have as much natural padding, like Derrick Henry.  

However, saying Achane "just gets banged up" isn't really fair through two years, particularly after 2024.  Achane appeared in all 17 games for the Dolphins, something that shouldn't go unnoticed with the way a large swath of Miami's roster is continually injured.  He suffered a concussion in Week 5 against New England, but he was good to go in the Dolphins' next game against the Colts. 

He did suffer a knee injury in 2023 in his rookie season that required a trip to injured reserve. However, that's an injury that could happen to anybody regardless of size. 

The exec's comment about perimeter play is fair and only natural, given his elite speed and athleticism. However, Achane has proven that despite concerns about his size, he's been just fine as a between the tackles runner as well. 

2025 will prove to be an important one for Miami, and if the Dolphins are to reach the playoffs and finally win a game there, they'll need their third-year runner to take another step forward in his progression. 

Perhaps that would finally show some execs that, while size is a tool, it's not the only one to succeed in the league.