The Miami Dolphins mostly just ran it back with all of their fantasy football-relevant options from 2023. They added Jaylen Wright and swapped out Mike Gesicki for Jonnu Smith but other than that, it’s the same core. If they are who we thought they were, then there isn’t much value to glean from checking out their ADP, but my annual Symphisian task rolls on with the fantasy football outlook for an undervalued and overvalued player on the Miami Dolphins, alongside a sleeper pick, as well!
Overvalued: De’Von Achane, Running Back (RB6, Pick 20 Overall)
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love De’Von Achane. I was an Achane truther last offseason, and he’s been everything that I thought he would be going into his second season. Unfortunately, outside of his monstrous two-week span in late September and early October (45 touches for 518 yards and 7 touchdowns), he wasn’t very inspiring. The Dolphins, to temper his workload (something that they’ve shown no sign of slowing in 2024), allowed him just 3 catches and 11 carries per game the rest of the season, this landed him at 78 yards per game. While I don’t hate De’Von Achane, I also think that his usage and volume are something that will run him into some problems in 2024 at his price tag. That’s Saquon Barkley/Jonathan Taylor rock solid RB1 territory, and it’s not somewhere where I’m willing to take a guy whose backfield mate scored over 20 touchdowns last season.
Speaking of Raheem Mostert…
Undervalued: Raheem Mostert, Running Back (RB29, Pick 89 Overall)
I get it; De’Von Achane is the new hotness, and Raheem Mostert is old and busted. You want Achane to take over that backfield because of those electric three games. But, Mostert is still there… in fact, the Dolphins brought Mostert back, as he was a free agent heading into the 2024 season. They want him on the roster, and he’s a core part of their plans. Remember how Achane had 14 touches per game after he returned from injury last season? Mostert had 16 touches per game in the same timeframe. He was less effective overall (61 yards per game), but he was also the goal-line back down the stretch, scoring six touchdowns the five games after Achane returned from injury.
That’s it, right there. That’s why I’m not ready to give up on Raheem Mostert. He’s still an explosive runner (he had 142 yards and four touchdowns in De’Von Achane’s breakout game), and he and Achane will form a 1a and 1b in the Dolphins backfield, at least until one or both of them get hurt in 2024. And you can get Mostert 69 (nice) picks later.
Speaking of injuries…
Sleeper: Jaylen Wright, Running Back (RB49, Pick 153 Overall)
Wright is a strong athlete who is built and looks like a three-down back. He struggles with his vision at the line of scrimmage, but if he gets a hole, he can take it all the way. Wright is going to start the season as the RB3 in Miami, but RB3 behind Raheem Mostert, who is 32 and has played in 40 games over the last four years, and De’Von Achane, who missed six games last season due to injury. That is to say, his status as RB3 is very much in upward flux. It’s not a matter of if, but when, one (or both) of those backs get dinged up and miss some time. Wright is there to be yet another speed threat in that offense and should slide in nice and easy.
He’s a rookie that I want to get onto my fantasy teams as a bench stash because he will get opportunities to produce this season. He’s RB49 off of the board, so this is an easy move to make. Should one of Mostert or Achane miss time, Wright is an immediate RB2 in most league formats. You can get ahead of that eventuality and stash him in your draft.
[Image Source: Miami Dolphins on Twitter]
