The Man that can fill in for AK41 during his looming "vacation" and beyond - DEVON ACHANE RB TEXAS A&M 2nd RD pick 40 overall (1 Viewer)

[Infoman]

He’s intriguing. I do really like Tucker for a later round pick. Him or Deuce Vaughn.

I love Deuce also... he's the actual Darren Sproles clone in this draft... I just don't think you can hang your hat on him when AK is out for 8 games... Dude is 5' 5'' 180 lbs.

 

[Trey W.]

I have a feeling there will be a run on RB’s in the 2nd round. I really like Achane, Gibbs, Charbonnet, and Spears. If we can end up with one or two of those our backfield will be very good for years.

 

[Doug B]

Whats Intriguing is that [Achane] could be a super high value pick. He’s only played in 30 games In college. And it says “saw action” so he’s very fresh.

Nice post.

Coming into the NFL draft after his junior season, Achane has averaged about 15.5 touches per game over his college career. For comparison, Alvin Kamara came out after his sophomore year and averaged just under 12 touches per game.

For another comparison, Leonard Fournette racked up 300 rushing attempts in 12 games as a sophomore (25/game). Then as a junior he was in and out of the Tigers' lineup, eventually only being available for 7 games that season.

Devon Achane College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

Check out Devon Achane's College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com

www.sports-reference.com

 

[RJS]

Achane is fun to watch for sure. But man, there's not many 190lb running backs having success in the NFL anymore and he doesn't look likely to carry much more weight. I'm not sure the Saints (or other teams) will invest in a player that size in the top 3 rounds.

 

[Doug B]

My point in this thread is... I think we HAVE to have a RB with immediate impact in this draft

Building on this:

It's not just Kamara's potential suspension, either -- there's a compelling roster-construction argument to be made in favor or prioritizing a RB in this draft.

The Saints' need to have Kamara's heir apparent in the building ASAP. Kamara will be 29 going into training camp 2024 and the Saints don't want to be in the position of having to overpay a running back as they enter their twilight years.

 

[Rexman100]

We aren't going to have Kamara most if not all of next season.
Would you draft UT RB Robinson in round 1 if he falls to us?

A future starter for a RB in round 2 isn't bad

To be honest, it’s a good question, because there’s an over abundance of mid to smaller RBs, but not meaning full size elite ones. I would slow play this situation, it’s likely he does fall, because every GM will be saying what I’ve been saying, that the can draft a Rb later. And then talk themselves out of BR with the thought of picking up a Latavious Murray type back in FA. So, if he falls to us, I would take calls from anyone wanting to move up. And if I could recoup another two or 3 or whatever. I’d consider that option first. if there’s no trade partners, then, I’d have to pass, I view RBs and WR as commodities, there carriers are short and often injured. I also think we have bigger needs at 29. But if we did, would i be excited? Heck yea, Id be saying that we got the best, FA multiple probowl, QB, and the best most complete bell cow back in the draft. My GM opinion and my fan opinion are always on the same page, at least that’s what they tell me

 

[Infoman]

Achane is fun to watch for sure. But man, there's not many 190lb running backs having success in the NFL anymore and he doesn't look likely to carry much more weight. I'm not sure the Saints (or other teams) will invest in a player that size in the top 3 rounds.

I see Achane playing at 205 or 210 in the NFL... Similar to Christian McCaffery.

 

[rlemieux]

This year is just unreal with the amount of guys that will more than likely contribute early to teams. Robinson is the clear lead, but guys like Chardonnet, Gibbs, Bigsby, Achane, Johnson , Spears, McIntosh. I'm sure I'm missing some but the class is stacked. I really like Rochon Johnson. He was behind Bijan but anywhere else he's starting. Him and Tajae would be a lethal combination. There is going to be some very good backs that come out of this draft in the mid to late rounds and even UDFA's.

 

[Doug B]

I see Achane playing at 205 or 210 in the NFL... Similar to Christian McCaffery.

Achane slots right in with NFL guys like Devin Singletary (5'7", 203 lbs) and Austin Ekeler (5'10", 200 lbs).

Ekeler was listed in college at 5'9", 195 lbs FWIW. Singletary was listed also at 5'9" (!), 200 lbs. Probably all the official listings for these guys are fuzzy, but the point is that Achane is not really undersized for similar roles to Ekeler and Singletary in the pros.

 

[Rexman100]

Nice post.

Coming into the NFL draft after his junior season, Achane has averaged about 15.5 touches per game over his college career. For comparison, Alvin Kamara came out after his sophomore year and averaged just under 12 touches per game.

For another comparison, Leonard Fournette racked up 300 rushing attempts in 12 games as a sophomore (25/game). Then as a junior he was in and out of the Tigers' lineup, eventually only being available for 7 games that season.

Devon Achane College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

Check out Devon Achane's College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com

www.sports-reference.com

That’s just goes to show how much more dialed in SP was than everyone else on AK. But I think he said it was an accident as they were really scouting Tenns Wrs? Hyatt is my pick like that. But he’s no secret.

 

[Rexman100]

This year is just unreal with the amount of guys that will more than likely contribute early to teams. Robinson is the clear lead, but guys like Chardonnet, Gibbs, Bigsby, Achane, Johnson , Spears, McIntosh. I'm sure I'm missing some but the class is stacked. I really like Rochon Johnson. He was behind Bijan but anywhere else he's starting. Him and Tajae would be a lethal combination. There is going to be some very good backs that come out of this draft in the mid to late rounds and even UDFA's.

Yes even UDFAs, most likely.

 

[RJS]

Achane slots right in with NFL guys like Devin Singletary (5'7", 203 lbs) and Austin Ekeler (5'10", 200 lbs).

Ekeler was listed in college at 5'9", 195 lbs FWIW. Singletary was listed also at 5'9" (!), 200 lbs. Probably all the official listings for these guys are fuzzy, but the point is that Achane is not really undersized for similar roles to Ekeler and Singletary in the pros.

I think a better comp for Achane is Nyheim Hines. I like the player, I just think he's going to have a limited role in the NFL. I believe taking him at 40 would be an overdraft.

 

[Doug B]

I see Achane playing at 205 or 210 in the NFL... Similar to Christian McCaffery.

I agree about Achane getting bigger in the pros. But if he's playing at 185 at A&M ... 210 would be an increase of 25 lbs. That's a lot to put on for a guy his height.

McCaffery was listed at 6'0" at Stanford, and 5'11" in the pros. His weight's been pretty consistent -- 200-202 lbs at Stanford, 205 in the pros.

Whatever Achane is going to accomplish in the pros, he's going to have to do it in the 195-200 range.

 

[sammymvpknight]

The track record on guys as small as Achane hasn’t been good. I think we need a real RB…a guy like Charbonnet. Other guys like Chase Brown could probably be drafted later and can be really good. If you want a pint sized change of pace RB, consider Deuce Vaughn later in the draft

 

[DSnfla]

Again, my point was... we need a direct replacement for AK for what will likely be at or near half the season... given how much of the offense, and our ability to score and maintain drives flows through AK.... This team will need an offensive playmaker with a similar skillset from day 1... I am looking for a guy that can do that in the draft, and not so much of a bargain to develop... that's my though process here.

There's likely only one RB going in the 1st... The run on guys like Achane will start in the 2nd... Spears is probably going there too. I'd take either... but I think we "need" one... and I don't think either is there at 71.

I disagree, if AK misses 6 games when he comes back Achane is gonna sit. We need a 1st and 2nd down back to move the chains like Charbonnet or if we get lucky Robinson. I'd even take a guy that's a bit of both Gibbs. That way when AK comes back we don't over use him and keep him fresh.