Jeff Hafley tells De'Von Achane to be ready for a very heavy workload this season

Achane's outlook just got a significant boost heading into draft season. Two independent reports have Dolphins OC Jeff Hafley signaling that Achane could be in line for an extremely heavy workload in 2024, with language suggesting he could approach or set a record for touches. That's a meaningful departure from his earlier profile as an explosive but lightly-used complementary back, and if the coaching staff follows through, it points toward Achane handling early-down work, third-down duties, and a real role in the passing game rather than being a change-of-pace piece.

For draft prep, this pushes Achane firmly into RB1 conversations. Elite speed backs who suddenly get workhorse-level volume are exactly the profile that returns first-round value, and you should be willing to draft him accordingly — likely within the first two rounds depending on your league's scoring and roster construction. The efficiency he's already shown per touch, paired with a genuinely high touch count, is a rare combination that fantasy managers should prioritize.

Confidence here is solid but not absolute. The reporting comes directly from the coordinator, which carries real weight, but it's still preseason positional framing rather than a confirmed depth-chart decision or usage pattern from actual games. Coaches routinely talk up workloads in August that don't fully materialize once the season starts, especially if Miami adds competition at the position or manages touches for injury prevention. Treat this as a strong bullish signal for draft value, but stay alert during preseason and early-season usage reports to confirm the workload actually materializes as described.