Someone has to touch the ball in Miami.
Despite trading Jaylen Waddle and cutting Tyreek Hill in moves to galvanize a rebuild, the Dolphins are not planning to also move star running back De’Von Achane, per ESPN.
Teams reportedly have inquired about the speedster’s availability only to be rebuffed.
It makes sense for opposing teams to call since Miami seems intent on tanking for the 2027 NFL Draft — hello Arch Manning? — and Achane holds value entering his walk year.
Keeping Achane is not going to be the difference between contending or not contending, and Miami could possibly get a Day 2 pick or better.
The pass-catching back tallied 1,499 total yards and 12 touchdowns in the 2024 season, and then tallied 1,838 combined yards with 12 scores again this past season.
He rushed for a career-best 1,350 yards on an otherwise middling Miami offense.
It’s possible Miami could attempt to extend him, although some would argue against a bad team using resources on a running back.
“I mean, he’s a marvelous player,” new Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said at the Combine in February, according to ESPN.
“We want him to be part of this thing moving forward. … We will have those conversations with him as well as some other guys as we move down the road, but that’s going to be later in the summer.”
Should Miami not deviate and move Achane, he could be seeing plenty of eight-man boxes due to the awful state of Miami’s receiving room.
Hill and Waddle helped keep defenses honest, but Waddle is now a Bronco and Hill is looking for a new home while working his way back from a torn ACL.
Tua Tagovailoa has been replaced by former Packers backup Malik Willis, who is a dual-threat quarterback with more success rushing than passing.
While Achane is a pass-catching back, Miami’s top receivers are veteran Tutu Atwell and Malik Washington.
