Achane a WR not a RB? Your take! W/Poll

Almost a week ago, I posted about an article on Pro Football Focus (HERE) that suggested moving Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane to wide receiver. The article by PFF explains the reasoning behind their argument and points out that Achane should be on board with this move. The chances of him securing a much larger contract with his next deal as a wide receiver compared to a running back are significantly better. I’m unsure if the team would consider designating him as a wideout instead of a running back for that very reason. After pointing out the PFF article and their argument for doing so, I posted the following question:

Do you believe that our Miami Dolphins should consider moving De’Von Achane to wide receiver or not, and why or why not?

Below are some of your thoughts and answers on the PQOTD. Please also vote in our poll.

sdphinsfan is against the idea and makes a solid argument for his opinion.

Let me see…let’s try to fill a hole that doesn’t exist, and create another one while we do it. And lets take a player who is a total mismatch for any LB or S in the pass game and put him in an area of the field where it’s an “easier” cover for CB.

It’s like having a really good hammer. It hammers great, and it’s a “good” tool when you need to pry something loose. But that’s what pry-bars are for. And if that’s what you need, that’s what you should get if that’s the task you’re addressing.

One other thing. Achane is going into year 3, which means next year is the last year of his rookie deal. At RB, assuming his current level of productivity continues, it’s probably gonna take $10M to $15M a year to re-sign him. If you move him to WR, and he’s good there, its $25M a year to re-sign him. Why would you do that to yourself?

SlayerNation1 says don’t try and reinvent the wheel.

I can’t see it as His primary role, just situationally.

Address the real issue: Achane is no more meant to be a WR than He is meant to be a featured RB.

If the Defense allows Achane to peel out as a WR against a LB, for an obvious mismatch, take advantage of it.

NFL route running is a highly refined skill, particularly for a timing based Offense. Get a lifelong WR to be a WR. Furthermore, a stable of WRs of different sizes is needed, by that meaning bigger WRs not as small ad Achane.

Also, if Achane can’t block as RB, who will He improve as a blocking WR?

Just continue to use Achane as a running/catching RB out of the backfield. No reinventing the wheel.

FinsRegard is just hoping for solid production while wondering if his dynamic game against the Denver Broncos was the absolute pinnacle of his career.

At times I enjoy him watching him run, I thought he was bigger than 5 foot 8 inches, 188.James, I am wondering did this Dolphin concept of smaller, faster players have its peak performance in the Denver home game in 23? I grow weary of what may be possible for the Dolphins in concept in 25 after watching the reality of the Eagles dominate in the recent playoffs.I hope Achane can be productive wherever he plays in 25.That is being a Dolphin fan, hoping in the offseason.

Spok507 is in agreement!

I agree with everyone who answered — don’t fix something that isn’t really broken. While Achane was one of the few bright spots in the offense last season, we just don’t need another small, fast WR. We need a bigger one who can separate and make contested catches. We also need a bigger back to make those short yardage power runs. Achane has a perfect role as a RB/WR hybrid who can catch the ball when presented with a coverage mismatch. Trying to fill a non-existent hole and create another would be counterproductive considering all the actual holes this team has. I suppose everything depends on who they chase in free agency this week and who they target in the draft next month. But right now, it doesn’t seem like switching Achane is something that should be on the radar or any kind of priority.

tvegas897 says leave him alone already!

Every time this comes up in conversation, my first reaction is, “What a dumb idea!” Leave Achane alone please. He’s a dual threat runner and receiver that will accel behind a better OL

Yarganaught would be surprised if it doesn’t happen.

Considering I started thinking they were going to move him to WR towards the end of last season, based on all the passing targets he was getting, I would be more surprised if he stayed a RB.

21Dave wants me to stop already, but I don’t see him sending me any post ideas.

Stop it Tex!! Don’t feed into this idea!!!

Luvs2drnk2.0 believes that entirely trying to convert him at this point could ruin him.

I just don’t see it happening. It’s too late in his development to make it worthwhile. People will try and use Tyreek Hill as something similar, but it’s a bad example. Hill was basically a dual threat in college who played RB/WR split evenly. He was then drafted to play WR, and was developed in the NFL as one. Achane was a primary RB in college, and was drafted and developed to be a RB in the NFL. Trying to change him into a slot WR at this point in his career would kill his career and earning potential. The reason he does well receiving now is because he’s likely going against much slower LBs who can’t keep up with him allowing him to gain more YAC. That will change drastically when he has to start going against bigger and faster (not faster than him, but faster than LBs) DBs, who will make it a point of jamming him at the LOS. At 5’9”, 188lbs, he’s going to lose a majority of those at the LOS, the same thing that happens to Hill when he doesn’t motion or play off the line. Achane’s best bet is to be the change of pace back/3rd down receiving back, getting 10-15 touches per game (runs and catches). With Wright being a bit more of the bell cow back getting 15-20 touches (mostly runs).

twinssdfan, I think, just wants a bigger WR.

Another bigger Nat Moore.

SuperG! says it would extend his NFL career and make his contracts larger.

It will extend his career if he can convert from an RB to a WR. It will also benefit his salary long term. He’s got to learn to run all the route trees, so if that’s the plan then start grooming him now.

We clearly had a consensus with this one, with almost everyone against it for various reasons. Thank you to each of you who took the time to answer our question of the day. Please join us again tomorrow evening for another Phinsider Question Of The Day.