Dolphins RB De'Von Achane could see 40-plus touches in some games this season, Jeff Hafley says

During his Pro Bowl campaign last season, Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane maxed out with 28 touches in a Week 10 win over the Buffalo Bills. His new head coach, Jeff Hafley, said Monday on “The Rich Eisen Show” that the 24-year-old back could have 40-plus touches in games this time around.

“I just gave Achane a heads up this morning and told him he better be in good shape,” a charismatic Hafley told Eisen on Monday with a smile, “because I told him there might be some games where I have to pick him up and carry him back into the locker room because he’s going to be so tired.

“And I told him I don’t ever want to see one of these head taps all year. He looked at me right in the eye and said, ‘You’ll never get that head tap from me.’ I said, ‘Don’t worry, buddy. After you touch the ball 40, 45 times, I might have to pick you up, and I’ll carry you back into the locker room.'”

“I just gave Achane a heads up this morning and told him he better be in good shape,” a charismatic Hafley told Eisen on Monday with a smile, “because I told him there might be some games where I have to pick him up and carry him back into the locker room because he’s going to be so tired.

“And I told him I don’t ever want to see one of these head taps all year. He looked at me right in the eye and said, ‘You’ll never get that head tap from me.’ I said, ‘Don’t worry, buddy. After you touch the ball 40, 45 times, I might have to pick you up, and I’ll carry you back into the locker room.'”

This offseason, Hafley’s first at the helm alongside general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan after their stay in Green Bay as Packers defensive coordinator and vice president of player personnel, respectively, the Dolphins signed Achane to a four-year extension reportedly worth up to $68 million. The deal comes with $32 million guaranteed, according to ESPN.

While Miami parted ways with a slew of contributors at the beginning of its rebuild, it re-upped its commitment to Achane. The 2023 third-round pick out of Texas A&M is coming off his best season yet — he piled up a career-high 1,838 scrimmage yards and once again logged 12 total touchdowns — and now he’s set to feature in offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s unit.

“I love the guy,” Hafley said. “I mean, you want to talk about a guy with some juice and a guy with personality starting to come out and a guy who’s starting to become a leader — I just like those guys, who can kind of give it back to you a little bit and have some fun.

“… He’s really a smart football player, and it’s fun to go back and forth with him, and he’s got this fun energy about him. I think he’s a stud.”

As a third-year pro, Achane eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time. He clocked out with 1,350 rushing yards while posting 5.7 yards per tote. Along the way, he registered 67 receptions, amassing 488 receiving yards. Of his 12 scores, eight came on the ground.

It sounds like the Dolphins will lean on him with first-year starter Malik Willis under center. Hafley has entrusted Willis, previously a backup with the Tennessee Titans and Packers, with the keys to Miami’s offense. He’s piloting a group that’s lacking substantial receiver talent at the moment. Although Willis can throw to the likes of Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell, it won’t be surprising to see Achane involved heavily as a receiver.

Hafley reiterated that Achane won’t be tapping his helmet looking for a spell this season. If he is too drained and needs a breather, the every-down back will have to opt for a different, more subtle communication method, Hafley lightheartedly explained.

“If Achane starts tapping his head and you ever see that in the game, I’m just going to … start beating my head and giving him the ball again,” he said on “The Rich Eisen Show.”

“I’m not letting him tap his head. Now, look, man, he’s going to get tired. I mean, he can just kind of sneak off [to] the sideline and look at me and wink or something, but he’s not going to tap his helmet.”