The Miami Dolphins are one of my favorite teams to analyze this year. They might have the widest range of outcomes in the NFL. If Tua can stay healthy, there is a very good case that can be made for them to get to the Super Bowl. The addition of Vic Fangio to their defense coupled with one of the most electric offenses in the league has the potential to be football porn. With all the speed that the Dolphins added to their roster this season, it will be fun to see how the NFL draft will impact the Dolphin’s 2023 season.
FULL MIAMI DRAFT RESULTS
| Rd. | Pick | Player | Pos. | College |
| 2 | 20 | Cam Smith | CB | South Carolina |
| 3 | 21 | Devon Achane | RB | Texas A&M |
| 6 | 20 | Elijah Higgins | WR | Stanford |
| 7 | 21 | Ryan Hayes | OT | Michigan |
Round 3, Pick 84 Overall: Devon Achane, Running Back, Texas A&M (5’8” 188 lbs)
Depth Chart:
RB1: Raheem Mostert
RB2: Jeff Wilson Jr.
RB3: Devon Achane
RB4: Myles Gaskin
TALENT
The one thing I love more than anything in a running back is speed. If you don’t have the chance to take it to the house on any given play, what is the point? This fantasy football creed that I live by has been put to the test by Devon Achane. The man runs like he was shot out of a cannon. The man has blazing speed with very good feet. I absolutely love his stutter step.
But for as fast as Achane is, he is inconsistent in space. He is a very boom-or-bust player. When he booms, Achane is as electric as they come. He has good vision and knows how to cut and go. The issue is that Achane has no ability to create for himself. If the blocking is not there, he is done. When he has good blocking in front of him, Achane is devastating to defenders.
Achane also has zero power in his game, which shouldn’t come as a surprise for a micronaut. The man can run outside and can catch incredibly well. What he won’t be able to do is run inside at the NFL level unless you want him broken like Bane broke Batman.
The real issue I have with Achane is that the man is tiny. Easily one of the smallest backs to be drafted this year. In dynasty rookie drafts, the man is going in the early second round with the idea that he could be like Darren Sproles. The problem with this comp is that Sproles was 3 inches shorter and 15 pounds heavier than Achane. Unless Achane can put on some mass without losing his speed, he is going to be at risk of injury on every play.
2023 OPPORTUNITY
The opportunity for Achane is a tricky question. I think Achane is a third-down back at the next level. I think Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson are both better runners and blockers, so any looks Achane sees this season will be in a very limited capacity. Mostly, I think he will be a special teams guy to start the season with the hopes he can slowly work his way into the offense.
2023 FANTASY FOOTBALL OUTLOOK
Since people keep comparing Devon Achane to Darren Sproles, I think it is worth noting that Darren Sproles did not see over 50 touches in an NFL season until his fourth year. Until Achane puts on 20 pounds, I can’t imagine him being fantasy football relevant. I won’t draft him, but I will pray that I am wrong because, if Achane hits, he will be electric.
TALENT
2023 OPPORTUNITY
2023 FANTASY FOOTBALL OUTLOOK
Round 6, Pick 197 Overall: Elijah Higgins, Wide Receiver, Stanford (6’3” 235 lbs)
Depth Chart:
WR1: Tyreek Hill
WR2: Jaylen Waddle
WR3: Cedric Wilson, Jr.
WR4: Elijah Higgins
TALENT
Elijah Higgins was a tough receiver to evaluate because the Stanford team he was on did not do him any favors when it came to highlights. Tanner McKee kept that offense from really achieving anything, despite some interesting pieces. The first thing I noticed when watching Elijah Higgins is that his athleticism shows on tape, which is not always the case for guys who test well at the combine.
Higgins has an average first step off the line of scrimmage, but he really explodes out of his breaks. He is good at stopping and then starting on his routes to create separation. As athletic as he is, Higgins lacks top-end speed. For a big guy, he runs pretty good routes and has very nice feet.
Higgins’ hands were just average. For a big guy, he was not a good jump ball guy. In the red zone, he wasn’t good at boxing defenders out to put himself and his quarterback in the best position to succeed. Higgins was a willing blocker, but nothing stood out on tape for me to think much about it either way.
2023 OPPORTUNITY
As long as Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are breathing, Elijah Higgins’ ability to see the field is limited. One thing he has going for him is that his body type is unique to the Dolphins roster. Hill and Waddle are little guys, while Higgins is a big ‘ol beefy boy. The closest body type to him on the roster is Cedrick Wilson, so there is an opportunity for Higgins to carve out a role in this offense. Especially with his athleticism.
2023 FANTASY FOOTBALL OUTLOOK
Unless you are Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, or a running back on the 2023 Miami Dolphins, the only path a player will have to fantasy relevance is injury. I wouldn’t count on Elijah Higgins doing much in his rookie year, but I would definitely pay attention to reports out of training camp to see how he is coming along. Because injuries do happen and he has the athleticism to get opportunities, even though the odds are stacked against him based on his draft capital.
TALENT
2023 OPPORTUNITY
2023 FANTASY FOOTBALL OUTLOOK
Do you want a Five Goodell grade? Then check out these links!
Discord!
Podcast!
Patreon!
Twitch!
