BroBible
The Miami Dolphins were not very good at converting on third down during the 2024 NFL season. In fact, the Dolphins were among the worst teams in the league on third down, ranking 24th of 32 teams.
Superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill believes he has an answer as to how head coach Mike McDaniel can fix the problem in 2025. But the answer may not sit well with Miami fans or star running back De’Von Achane.
Achane accounted for 1,499 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns in 2024. But Hill believes that he should be playing less.
After Dolphins practice on Friday, Hill met with reporters to discuss a number of topics. One of those topics was the third-down struggles.
Miami converted just 36.3 percent of its third-down attempts a year ago. By comparison, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers led the league at 51.1 percent.
So, what do the Dolphins need to do to get better? According to Hill, it starts with getting Achane off the field.
Tyreek Hill on how the Dolphins can solve their short yardage woes in the run game: “Take [Achane] out on 3rd-down. That’s my honest opinion. If it’s 3rd-and-short, he’s not a power back… If I’m being honest, that’s why you got Jaylen Wright.” (@MiamiDolphins) #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/mYxKPUkVHO
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) August 1, 2025
“Take De’Von [Achane] out on third down,” Hill said. “What? You wanted — that’s my honest opinion. If it’s third and short, he’s not a power back. I be telling him that in the locker room, but he swear he a power back. I love De’Von, though, but if I’m being honest, that’s why you got Jaylen Wright, that’s why you got Ollie Gordon, for those kinds of situations.”
While it may sound harsh, the data does back up Hill’s point. Achane, who is listed at 5-foot-9 and 191 pounds, was 6-for-12 converting third downs last year, and just 15-for-34 (44.1%) in all short-yardage situations, per Pro Football Reference.
Meanwhile, Wright, who is 5-foot-10 and 208 pounds, had just three short-yardage carries last season and went 2-for-3 in converting them into first downs. None of those carries came on third down.
Tyreek Hill has never been one to stay quiet when he believes something needs to be said. And as he noted in the comment, he’s had this conversation with Achane in the past.
So Achane didn’t seem surprised to or offended when he saw the clip.
That’s how you feel @cheetah https://t.co/eNKMmWpXNG
— De’Von Achane (@ffvmousvon_) August 1, 2025
Ultimately, it will come down to whether or not McDaniel listens to Hill’s suggestion and if it pays dividends. If it does, Achane doesn’t have much of a leg to stand on. If it doesn’t, then Hill will look silly and Achane may get some...
