‘I’m an every-down back.’ Which Dolphins RB can fix their short-yardage woes?
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill made headlines last week when he gave his take on the team’s short-yardage woes.
“Take [De’Von Achane] out on third down,” Hill quipped Friday. “That’s my honest opinion. If it’s third-and-short, he’s not a power back. I keep telling him that in the locker room, but he swears he’s a power back. If I’m being honest, that’s why you got Jaylen Wright.”
On Tuesday, Achane responded in kind.
“I feel like I’m an every-down back,” Achane idsa. “I could be in first, second, third, fourth. I can do a lot just as far as running the ball. I can catch the ball. I think I had 70-something receptions — I feel like I’m a receiver at this point — but it’s great to be out there every single down.
Apparently, Hill and Achane have a relationship that involves a lot of trolling.
“Every time he up here, ain’t no telling what he going to say or what’s coming out of his mouth,” Achane said before he fired off a shot of his own towards the star wideout. “That’s like me saying he not our jump wide receiver and always wants fades.”
Although Hill’s statement initially shocked fans and pundits alike, he wasn’t necessarily wrong. In fact, the eight-time Pro Bowler was just repeating what he saw during the Dolphins’ short-yardage period on Friday, per coach Mike McDaniel.
“I thought it was genius reporting by Tyreek seeing how we had a short-yardage period that very day,” McDaniel said Sunday. “His suggestion was congruent with how [running backs coach Eric] Studesville repped the backs during that short-yardage period.”
Unfortunately, Achane didn’t necessarily perform the best in short-yardage situations on the ground. In 2024, the former Texas A&M standout converted 15/34 (44%) on all his short-yardage opportunities, according to Pro Football Reference (PFR). That number rose slightly to 50% (six for 12) when the perameters were limited to third or fourth down.
For comparative purposes, top running backs like the Baltimore Ravens’ Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley converted 43/60 (72%) and 36/61 (59%) of all their short yardage opportunities, respectively, per PFR.
Wright, on the other hand, didn’t see much action in short-yardage situations. The then-rookie turned two of his three carries into first downs in 2024, according to PFR. Wright, however, looks primed to step into that situation as he entered into training camp at 208-pounds, nearly 20-pounds heavier than Achane.
“I know I could be a top back in the league,” Wright said July 24. “I stand on that. And if things play out right this year and I know it will so I’m very confident.”
That certainly won’t be easy. The Dolphins signed Alexander Mattison in the offseason as well as drafted Ollie Gordon II. Mattison, in particular, has developed a bit of reputation for his expertise in short-yardage situations as he converted 17/23 (74%) in 2024. When the plays were on third or fourth down specifically, Mattison was a spectacular six for eight (75%).
“I think I was also blessed with a certain type of running style and technique that allows me to break tackles and do some things,” Mattison said in late March.
Gordon, on the other hand, has a bit of pedigree as the 2023 Doak Award-winner, which is given to the best running back in college football. Although he stands much taller than the average running back at 6-foot-1-inch, his physical style of play could make him the go-to guy in short yardage situations.
“My mind-set is me versus you,” Gordon said in late April, “and I’m banking on me every time. I can’t sit here and lie to you; I’m banking on me every time when I’m in there on 1-on-1s. So that’s my mind-set — it’s either you’re going to get out of my way, or I’m going to run through you.”
The Dolphins will certainly have their fair share of options to address the short-yardage situations. Acknowledgement is always the first step in addressing any problem and the running back room looks to be on the right track.
“That is something we’ve got to work on — short-yardage situations — and I feel like this year, we’re going to be better,” Achane said.
This story was originally published August 5, 2025 at 3:55 PM.
