Countdown to Training Camp: Can Achane Lead the Dolphins Running Game?
We are closing in on the start of Dolphins training camp, which will be here before you can get done counting Joey Chestnut’s hot dogs consumed. With camp on the horizon, we are previewing the different positions before anyone blows a whistle. Last week, we took a peek at what Tua Tagovailoa had with him in the Quarterback room, as he has not stayed healthy for a majority of his career. Today, we preview the players behind him in the backfield, a position that could make or break how the Dolphins’ offense goes in 2025.
The Starter
Much like Tagovailoa at QB, there is no question who the starter is at running back as De’Von Achane enters the season as the lead back. After a rookie season in which he took the league by storm with 455 yards and 5 TDs in a 3-game span early in the season, Achane entered 2024 splitting carries with Raheem Mostert, before taking over later in the season. While Achane didn’t see as much success as in his rookie season, he still ran for over 900 yards, recorded 78 receptions, and scored 12 total touchdowns.
His home run efficiency in his rookie season took a hit as he went from 7.8 yards per carry to 4.5 with a much larger workload. With Mostert not re-signed for 2025, Achane will be the lead back from day one, carrying the load for Miami.
The RB Room
While Achane stepped up from rookie to starter from 2023 to 2024, it was Jaylen Wright who took over the rookie role last year. Miami was hoping the Tennessee back would be the change of pace HR hitter that Achane was the previous season, but it did not work out that way with Wright only getting 249 yards on 68 carries.
More surprisingly, and we may never know why, was the fact that Wright just didn’t see the field much. 170 total snaps were far below what was expected, especially with Mostert missing five games. Wright will have to play a bigger role in relieving Achane in 2025 if the Dolphins are going to see consistent success in the backfield.
If not Wright, veteran Alexander Mattison would be the next man up in the running game. After playing backup to Dalvin Cook in Minnesota for four seasons, Mattison had his chance in 2023 as the Vikings’ lead back, but only tallied 700 yards at 3.9 yards per rush. With the Vikings moving on to Aaron Jones, Mattison tried his luck in Vegas, but again, didn’t run with the starting chance, only getting 420 yards in a poor Raiders rush offense.
Now it’s the 3rd string in Miami, trying to earn a roster spot. With Achane and Wright as fast, HR hitters, Mattison should be used in short situations and on third downs if he wants to make an impact. It’s an important spot, as Miami was 25th in 3rd down conversions last season.
Giving Mattison a battle for the RB3 spot is rookie Ollie Gordon III from Oklahoma State. After putting up monster numbers with the Cowboys in 2023 with 1,732 yards, Gordon sank with the rest of the Oklahoma State offense, with only 880 yards last season. His advantage over Mattison might lie in pass protection, which Miami needs to keep Tua healthy.
Undrafted free agent Nate Noel, out of Missouri, rounds out the Dolphins’ backfield for camp.
Unlike 2024, when we really didn’t know who would emerge as the starter and if Miami would even have a bellcow back, we know it will be Achane this season. However, they need more than Achane, as last year demonstrated when Mostert was not available or unsuccessful. Either Wright, Mattison, or Gordon III will have to be that second strong body in there for the Miami running game to return to its 2023 form.
