Rookie Scouting Profile: De’Von Achane

FullTime Fantasy Rookie Scouting Profile: De’Von Achane (RB)

De’Von Achane (RB) Texas A&M

Height	Weight	40-Time	DOB	NFL Draft	Dynasty ADP	NFL Comp
5-8	188	4.32	10/13/2001	Day 2	1.09	Tarik Cohen

This FullTime Fantasy profile is written by Adam Krautwurst. Show Adam some love and be sure to follow him on Twitter.

College Production

During his time at Texas A&M, De’Von Achane was a highly productive player despite being underutilized in his first two seasons. In his junior year, he was given the starting role and made the most of his opportunities, finishing the season with 1,102 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, and an average of 5.6 yards per carry. He also caught 36 balls for 196 yards and 3 TDs.

Achane had several standout performances during the 2020 season, including a career-high 140 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the Aggies’ 34-13 victory over Tennessee. He also had a season-high three receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown in a win over LSU.

In the Orange Bowl against North Carolina, Achane had a memorable performance, rushing for 140 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries, earning him the game’s MVP honors.

Overall, Devon Achane’s college production demonstrates his ability to make an impact on the field despite being undersized, and his impressive speed and versatility make him an intriguing prospect for the 2023 NFL draft.

Strengths

• Despite being underutilized during his time at Texas A&M, Achane has made a significant impact on the field whenever he got the rock. Last season, he started and carried the ball 196 times for 1,102 yards, scoring eight touchdowns and averaging 5.6 yards per carry.

• As a runner, Achane is explosive with great decision-making, able to quickly identify gaps in the defense and burst through them without hesitation.

• He has exceptional footwork and contact balance, allowing him to navigate through traffic with ease.

• Sprinter-level speed remains consistent through cuts, and he can outmaneuver most defenders to make big gains.

• As a receiver, Achane is equally impressive, able to line up in various positions and exploit the defense with his smooth route running and soft, reliable hands.

• All-SEC first-teamer with an extensive record of success as an NCAA track sprinter.

Concerns

• Achane’s biggest concern is his (lack of) size.

• At 5-foot-8 and 188 pounds, he is considered undersized for an NFL running back, which raises concerns about his ability to handle a full workload as a lead back.

• Additionally, his play strength is below average, making him more susceptible to being stopped in his tracks when taken head-on as a runner.

• He lacks the power to move piles or fight for extra yards, which could limit his effectiveness as a short-yardage and goal-line back at the professional level.

• Liability in pass protection.

Fantasy Outlook

While Achane’s size and play strength limitations may cause some teams to view him as a complementary player who needs to be paired with a bigger back, he possesses every other trait that could make him a valuable addition to any pro offense. If he falls out of the second round of the draft, it would be a significant injustice, as he has the potential to provide an instant upgrade to any team that takes him.

Jody’s insight: I feel like Achane is being over-drafted at the tail-end of Round 1 in rookie-only drafts. However, that is before we know his landing spot. If Achane winds up with a creative play-caller willing to scheme Achane into his offense as more than just a third-down back, Achane has a ton of PPR potential. I would just prefer to take him in the middle or latter part of the second round.