MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — After doing a lot of work in free agency to build an experienced roster poised to go further than last season’s first-round playoff exit, the Miami Dolphins added depth at cornerback with South Carolina’s Cam Smith, then selected Texas A&M’s speedy running back Devon Achane on the second night of the NFL draft.
Achane, who runs a 4.32 40-yard dash, ranked among the top 20 in the nation in rushing, kickoff return and all-purpose yards in 2022. He had 1,102 yards rushing on 196 carries with eight TDs and 196 yards receiving and three receiving TDs.
Achane, the fastest player in the draft, adds more speed to a Dolphins offense with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Raheem Mostert.
“It’s gonna be a really scary offense. We’re all pretty fast,” Achane said on a video conference call shortly after Miami selected him at No. 84 Friday night. He added that Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel told him during one of their pre-draft conversations that he planned on building one of the fastest teams in the NFL.
“Speed, we generally like around here,” McDaniel said Friday night. “I think it’s more you feel like there’s a fit in terms of a guy fitting within your existing team … That group in particular — the running back group — for us, is very important. You find a person, player that fits the skillset that you like.”
Miami brought back its 2022 leading rusher Mostert and running back Jeff Wilson in free agency but was looking to add depth at the position.
The Smith selection at No. 51 was a bit of a surprise for the Dolphins, who could have added a tight end or offensive lineman with their first pick of the draft.
Smith — a prospect that some experts felt had first-round talent — had six interceptions and 3.5 tackles for loss during his career with the Gamecocks. He’s joining a Dolphins secondary that was decimated by injuries last season, which played a role in Miami finishing 27th in passing defense in 2022.
“It was the opportunity at…
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