The Miami Dolphins view emerging star running back De'Von Achane as a long-term building block and are likely to prioritize extending him rather than moving him, ESPN's Dan Graziano reported this week. Graziano identified Achane alongside center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks as "foundational players" the franchise would prefer to secure with new contracts instead of trading away.
Graziano noted the Dolphins might reconsider if presented with a first-round pick for Achane, but called that scenario unlikely given the devalued market for running backs and Achane's need for a new deal. "The smart bet," Graziano wrote, is that Miami and Achane reach an extension this offseason. The forward-leaning stance on Achane arrives amid a broader roster overhaul in Miami that has seen the team part ways with several high-profile skill players.
Miami's aggressive reshaping included trading wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos — along with a 2026 fourth-round pick — in exchange for the 30th overall pick in the 2026 draft plus additional 2026 third- and fourth-round selections. The Dolphins also released Tyreek Hill and veteran quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, moves that leave Achane as one of the few remaining homegrown offensive playmakers with sustained production for Miami in recent years.
Achane, 24, has climbed steadily since the Dolphins selected him in the third round of the 2023 draft out of Texas A&M. He totaled 997 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns as a rookie, exploded for 1,499 total yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024, then posted career highs last season with 1,350 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns while catching 67 passes for 488 yards and four scores — 1,838 yards from scrimmage and 12 total TDs. He also led qualified rushers with 5.7 yards per attempt last season, underscoring the efficiency that has made him a centerpiece of Miami's attack.
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The contract calculus is complicated by positional value trends in the NFL. While Miami could theoretically flip Achane for a premium draft pick, Graziano suggested the market reality — teams' reluctance to surrender a first-rounder for a running back — and Achane's impending new-contract status make a long-term extension the likeliest outcome. Locking in Achane would give the Dolphins continuity on the ground as they reconstruct the rest of the offense.
That reconstruction includes a new quarterback and a largely revamped receiving corps. Miami signed free agent Malik Willis to lead the offense and added veteran receivers Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert, while the club also brought in rookies Chris Bell, Caleb Douglas and Kevin Coleman Jr. The depth chart at wideout and the quarterback position remains unsettled, heightening the importance of Achane's ability to sustain an elite rushing attack as the Dolphins attempt to remain competitive in 2026 and beyond.
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Securing Achane would signal Miami's commitment to building from the line of scrimmage outward — holding on to a versatile, high-efficiency runner while addressing skill positions through free agency and the draft. Whether the Dolphins formalize that intent with a contract this offseason or wait remains a key offseason storyline for a franchise in the midst of a significant transition.
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