A Chain of Explosions -Devon Achane, Texas A&M

Big things come in small packages according to First Round Mock NFL Draft Analyst William Yanish, who is excited about Texas A&M’s Devon Achane, and thinks he just might go to the Raiders.

Versatile position-less players are all the rage in today’s pass happy NFL.

Teams like dangerous weapons who can line up in multiple positions, and take it to the house from anywhere at any time.

From San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel to Atlanta’s Cordell Patterson…

Don’t forget either about Alvin Kamara in New Orleans.

They come in all shapes and sizes.

Get to know this name

Running back (RB) Devon Achane of Texas A&M is one of the most explosive players out there.

Let’s just let that sit there for a minute.

According to CBS Sports, he is the consensus No. 3 RB.

This kid has a legitimate chance to break Chiefs’ receiver John Ross’ record 4.22 40-yard-dash at the NFL Combine.

ESPN Draft Analyst Mel Kiper Jr. thinks that Achane only trails Texas Longhorns’ RB Bijan Robinson in this draft. 

However, I don’t think Robinson is it based on what I’ve seen so far. There isn’t anything special about him from my observations.

If Achane actually had a quarterback (QB) to be paired with, I feel he would have been breaking records across the nation in 2022.

Let’s address the squirrel in the room

No pun intended, but we have to talk about this.

Achane is a tiny prospect at 5’9″ and 185 pounds.

However, this kid is loaded full of football TNT.

What is he like, though?

I can’t stress enough it’s not the size of the player, it’s the size of the player’s heart.

Little Man Syndrome is real. Running angry is real. Achane can line up anywhere on the field, and blow the top off a defense. As NFL rules have been changing regarding contact, prospects are getting lighter and faster.

In three years at College Station, he has 2,930 yards from scrimmage and 26 TDs. He has an excellent 6.4 yards per carry average. He did all of that with Isaiah Spiller, and the other capable backs around him.

Achane also has 613 kick return yards (30.7 avg.) with two TDs. Including a 96-yard return for a touchdown, that was instrumental in Texas A&M’s victory over Alabama, in 2021.

To add to his accolades, Achane was named MVP of the 2021 Orange Bowl, as a backup.

He runs under, around, and ducking behind offensive lineman. It is then he turns on the jets, and blows the doors off of defenders. Because of that, he doesn’t run with much patience. He rather hits that top gear with quickness.

It is just plain fun to watch him play.

What the game film says about #6

He didn’t have a problem running between the tackles, but that might change in the NFL.

As a receiver, he ran wheel-routes, split out wide, and lining up at slot receiver, Achane is a very versatile player.

This Texas A&M back is great at running hot routes to help his QB fend off blitzes.

He’s a willing blocker too, getting under defenders, and using upward leverage. He also does a great job picking up the blitz.

A very intriguing back with a style all of his own.

A slight build is the only concern.

Achane has been clocked at 4.24 in 40-yard-dash. That speed shows every bit on game film. He progressed from backup in 2021 to starter in 2022.

This back has the second-gear acceleration to outrun defender’s angles. He throws a great straight arm, secures the ball well, and he’s lightning quick in and out of his cuts.

Scouts will be drooling over his speed.

My big three questions

1. Will he be able to set the 40-yard-dash record at the NFL Combine?
2. What can he do to prove his small stature doesn’t matter?
3. Will whoever picks him use his potential or try to relegate him to third-downs?

How Achane stacks up and game film reviewed

Draft projection: Second-Round Top-45 overall (Sounds like the perfect Las Vegas Raiders’ pick at No. 38 overall 😉)

Pro comparison: Not sure there is one, but he’s the Steve Smith of RB’s (former Panthers’ great receiver)

Game film reviewed:

Alabama ’21

LSU ’21 (worst)

Mississippi State ’22

LSU ’22 (best)

The team that drafts Achane will not be disappointed.

William Yanish III is a life long football fan. He’s from the little town of Crawford, Colorado. Along the way, he’s lived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska and Brookings, Oregon. Quarterback Joe Montana was his idol growing up. A little bit of CTE from life’s adventures killed his dreams as a football player. Now, he is an aspiring writer and Draft Analyst at FirstRoundMock.com. He’s a fanatic with a dream, which is coming true.