Trade speculation has followed De’Von Achane since the 2025 deadline, but Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said on Wednesday (via NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe) that the Pro Bowl running back is “not available for trade.”
Instead, Miami is working on a long-term extension for Achane, something he expressed interest in before the end of last season. Sullivan said that negotiations thus far have been “positive” and “trending in the right direction.”
The Dolphins have remained steadfast in their position regarding Achane, though there were similar reports about Waddle before he was traded to the Broncos. The 24-year-old running back has emerged as one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in the league with almost 1,500 scrimmage yards in 2024 and more than 1,800 last season. A team bringing in a relatively inexperienced starter in Malik Willis may find even more valuable in an explosive running back who can generate yards on the ground and through the air on both designed touches and checkdowns.
Running back pay has ticked up in the last two years, though only three players – Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, and Derrick Henry – have deals with a $15MM per year or more. Breece Hall was hit with a $14.29MM franchise tag, and Kenneth Walker‘s multi-year deal with the Chiefs is worth $14.35MM per year. Achane’s age and production give him an argument to join the former group. He has been a semi-regular presence on the Dolphins’ weekly injury reports, but he has played all but one game in the last two years without any sign of an injury affecting his on-field play.
One wrinkle with an Achane extension is the timing. His $2.3MM cap hit will go up due to the signing bonus of a new contract, but the Dolphins only have $1.9MM in cap space at the moment, per OverTheCap. Miami will see more than $20MM in savings once Bradley Chubb‘s release is processed on June 1, most of which will be used to sign their rookie class. But they should also have enough space after the draft to accommodate the increased cap hit resulting from an agreement with Achane.
Sullivan also previously signaled his intent to sign center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks to long-term deals as pillars of the team’s current rebuild. The team has engaged both players in contract talks, but no deal is imminent.
“They know how important they are to this team,” Sullivan said (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). “There’s nothing pressing to get something done in the next couple of days.”
Similar to the situation with Achane, Brewer’s cap hit would increase with an extension. Brooks’ could decrease, depending on how Miami structures the deal.
After that fire sale, would only make sense to snag a couple 1st rounders and mid round pick for Achane and just do a total reboot.
If someone were offering two firsts he would be on the next flight to that team. Thats a can’t refuse offer for a RB, no matter how good
At most, he’d probably get a second rounder with maybe a fourth or fifth. Two 1sts for a running back ain’t happening.
Famous last words from pro teams.
He can catch them yes, but he won’t get very far. I’d expect 2025 Breece Hall numbers for Achane.
Sell the team too. Start over
Devon is going to get swallowed up by the defense
Why keep him? They’re saying it’ll help Willis to have a running game, but Archane will get stuffed over and over again when defenses stack the line.
That’s only part of his game. He’s real good in the passing game from the backfield or lined up wide. Waddld and Hill are gone. He could catch 60, 70 passes with Miami expected to be behind often.
Can’t be surprised if Dolphin Fans are skeptical on Sullivan saying that Achane is unavailable because Sullivan said that about Waddle & we all know what happened next.
Sullivan still hasn’t done anything to really show that there is any hope of the Team being better than what Grier kept slapping together.
Sullivan has a lot to prove & so far I will give him a D+ to a C- so far
A little premature wouldn’t you say? They have no cap space so couldn’t really be players in FA. Cutting high priced veterans on bad contract from the prior regime was a necessity to clean the slate. The draft is his first real test. The return for waddle was pretty good. I don’t like the Hafley hire or Willis signing, but he knows them better than me and I have to give them a chance.
No it’s not premature to give out a Grade for what Sullivan has done so far & as someone who has been a Dolphins fan for over 50 years I have the right to Grade the 1st time GM Sullivan.
So far Sullivan hasn’t done anything to improve this team & the Draft won’t improve the Roster very much to improve the Team.
The Return for Waddle was not good since Sullivan only picked up 2 Draft Picks & he sent a Draft Pick to Denver, OH YEAH Sullivan said that Waddle was a key piece to improving the Team
Outside looking in the GM is doing a solid job. He is getting rid of the dead weight the previous GM stuck him with. Keeping achane when you are not paying anyone else outside small investment at QB is ok. You must sell tickets somehow or you will be out of a job quick. Build via draft, reset the cap and see from there. Waddle no longer fit the timeline and on his next contract will priced out of Miami whom is rebuilding anyways. Fans tend to think rebuilds are like madden with cap penalties being erased at will.
Sullivan said that Waddle was one of the Dolphins 2 Players he was looking at building the team around with the other Player being Achane & since Waddle was basically given away I don’t believe Achane is a safe bet to still be here when camp breaks for the Season. There is not enough in the Draft to really improve the Team even if they have 7 picks in the 1st 3 rounds of the Draft & I think that Sullivan will trade several of those picks away.
So if Travis Etienne’s last name is pronounced A-chan, does that mean Achane’s last name is pronounced Etienne?