One of the leading contenders for the fastest player in the 2023 NFL draft is a player who could interest the Lions in the middle rounds.
Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 185 pounds (listed by Texas A&M)
21 years old
Achane puts the “speed” in speed back. Aside from being a running back, Achane also ran as a sprinter for the Aggies track team and has a verified 10.14 second time in the 100-meter dash. He has consistently broken the 4.3-second mark in the 40-yard dash in training for the scouting combine.
He ran for over 1,100 yards and caught 36 passes in his one season as the lead RB for Texas A&M. Achane also has two kick return TDs in his three-year collegiate career.
Pros
- World-class track speed
- Great acceleration with rapid foot frequency
- Patient in waiting for the hole to develop without being too hesitant
- Capable receiver on swings, screens and outlet routes. Two drops against 62 receptions in college
- Shows lower-body strength and balance, notably on runs outside the tackles
- Good at maximizing yards when he’s boxed in by the defense
- Great burst through B and C gaps with enough vision to quickly react to the second-level defender
- Offers kick return ability right out of the box
Cons
- Built like a short sprinter more than an NFL RB with a small frame and little room to add mass
- Will downshift into cuts, especially working back to the inside
- Terrible in pass protection, both in technique and effort
- More of a safety valve receiver than a route runner
- Not elusive in space other than being able to outrun tacklers
- Doesn’t break many tackles even when he sinks his weight or jump-cuts away from an arm tackle
Overall
Achane tantalizes with his speed and big-play potential as both a scatback and a short-range receiver, as well as a kick returner. His ability to outrace the defense to the corner on outside runs is often spectacular. Despite being small, he’s not afraid of contact.
There are real limitations. Achane must improve his attention to detail in the passing game, both in running routes and pass protection. He takes a lot of hits for a smaller back and that leads to usage and durability issues. Best fit is as the “lightning” option in a shared backfield and as a primary kick returner.
Achane is generally projected in the 60-120 overall range heading into the scouting combine. He could be a nice fit as the No. 2/No. 3 RB in Detroit as a rookie with the Lions’ third-round pick, currently No. 82 overall.
