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After a phenomenal rookie season for the Miami Dolphins, speedy running back De’Von Achane is up for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year.
The league announced Achane as a finalist for Rookie of the Year on Tuesday, along with Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson and Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.
The winner will be recognized during Super Bowl week in Las Vegas — the Super Bowl is set for Sunday, Feb. 11 — and fans can vote for their choice at nfl.com/rookies through Feb. 2.
Achane had a historic rookie season, with an eye-popping 7.8 yards per carry, an NFL record in the Super Bowl era for any running back with at least 100 carries (he had 103). Achane, in 11 games, finished the regular season with 800 rushing yards and 197 receiving yards, plus 11 total touchdowns.
A third-round draft pick out of Texas A&M, Achane won the league’s Rookie of the Week twice, Weeks 3 and 5. In the Week 3 game against the Denver Broncos, Achane burst onto the NFL scene with 203 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns and another pair of scores on the ground. Against the New York Giants two weeks later, he had 151 rushing yards plus a touchdown.
A midseason knee injury held Achane to just one carry over the ensuing six weeks, but he was counted on late in the season again when Raheem Mostert missed the final two regular-season games, including a 107-yard rushing performance against the Baltimore Ravens Dec. 31.
Another Smith interview
Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith has a second interview request for a head coaching vacancy.
Smith, who had already been requested for interview last week by the Carolina Panthers, now has an interview request with the Seattle Seahawks, according to an NFL Network report.
The Seahawks have an opening from parting ways with Pete Carroll, while the Panthers fired Frank Reich this season.
“He’s very deserving of the opportunity to interview,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said of Smith last week. “It’s not if, but when. Whenever he does, he’s going to do an outstanding job.”
Smith said last week, as Miami was preparing for its playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs, that any interviews would occur this week.