The Miami Dolphins made the unexpected move of going cornerback with their first 2023 pick in the NFL draft, taking South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith at No. 51. They then selected Texas A&M running back Devon Achane in the third round, pick No. 84.
Here are some things to know about the Dolphins’ two Day 2 picks:
CAM SMITH
Pos./round: Cornerback/Second (No. 51)
School: South Carolina
Year: Redshirt junior
Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 180
Hometown: Blythewood, S.C.
Comment: Smith has length as well as press coverage skills but the scouting reports say he’s better suited for zone coverage, which is what new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio likes to play. …
Smith is aggressive with good ball skills. …
He’s not afraid to come up and make tackles. …
Smith started nine of 11 games last year and recorded 27 tackles, one interception and five pass breakups. …
In 2021, he made seven starts and had 41 tackles after missing fall camp due to foot surgery. …
Smith has the skills to be a starting cornerback. …
This year he’ll be playing alongside starters Xavien Howard, Jalen Ramsey, Kader Kohou, Noah Igbinoghene, Nik Needham, and Keion Crossen, among others. …
Cornerback is strongest, deepest position on the team with two Pro Bowl players (Howard and Ramsey), two promising youngsters (Kohou and Needham) and a veteran (Crossen). …
Smith joins a secondary that seems well-prepared to face AFC East quarterbacks such as Buffalo’s Josh Allen, New York’s Aaron Rodgers and New England’s Mac Jones. …
Smith said he plans on learning to play the outside (boundary) and then moving inside (slot). …
Smith said he didn’t consider himself an NFL prospect until before his junior season, when he had a child on the way. He said he began taking things more seriously and the game became a bit easier. …
Smith said he didn’t have much contact with the Dolphins before the draft but made a visit to Miami.
DEVON ACHANE
Pos./round: Running back/Third (No. 84)
School: Texas A&M
Year: Junior
Ht.: 5-8 1/2 Wt.: 188
Hometown: Missouri City, Texas
Comment: Achane (pronounced du-vaughn A-chain) has blazing speed as his 4.32-second 40-yard dash attests. …
Achane rushed for 1,102 yards on 196 carries (5.6 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns. …
Achane had 36 receptions for 196 yards (5.4 yards per reception) and three touchdowns. …
Achane, also a kickoff returner, was a first-team All-SEC selection as a running back and all-purpose player. …
Achane was on the Aggies’ mile relay team in track and field in 2021 and won the 60-meter dash at the 2022 Don Kirby Open (6.63 seconds). …
Achane led FBS with 7.0 yards per carry in 2021. …
Achane likely won’t line up in the backfield as a traditional running back all the time. He’ll probably be sometimes used out of the backfield and sometimes as a slot receiver. …
Achance said he has no problem running between the tackles despite his relatively small size. …
Interestingly, Achane doesn’t necessarily give the Dolphins what many thought they’d want from a running back, which is more power and workhorse traits. The Dolphins already have a speedy back in Raheem Mostert and a slashing back in Jeff Wilson Jr. …
However, Achane offers a unique skill set and an opportunity for coach Mike McDaniel to tap into his offensive creativity to find roles for Achane to get into space and use his speed and shiftiness in one-on-one matchups. …
The Dolphins’ running backs now include Mostert, Wilson, Achane, Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed.
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