MAY 21: For full guarantees, Achane’s contract comes in well south of the previously reported $32MM number. It contains $17.38MM guaranteed at signing, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. That ranks 13th among running backs. Another $3MM — from Achane’s 2028 salary ($14.23MM) — will vest in March 2027. That $3MM number is part of a $10MM 2028 guarantee; the remaining $7MM will lock in by March 2028, Florio adds.
Achane’s 2026 and ’27 compensation is guaranteed at signing. His 2029 and 2030 base salaries ($14.23MM, $15.72MM) are nonguaranteed, giving the Dolphins a realistic out after the 2027 season. Though, Achane’s camp did well to secure the early guarantee on part of his 2028 salary.
MAY 13: After months of discussions and trade rumors, the Dolphins have closed the deal to extend running back De’Von Achane. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Miami rusher has agreed to a four-year, extension worth up to $68MM with $32MM in guaranteed money.
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Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN clarified that Achane’s new deal has a base value of $64MM with bonuses worth up to $4MM. His annual average value ($16MM per year) and guarantee total are both all-time highs for running backs coming off their rookie deal. Achane is now set to enter the 2026 season with the position’s third-highest AAV, behind only Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey, and fourth-most guarantees, behind Barkley and recent top draft picks Ashton Jeanty and Jeremiyah Love.
Achane came to the NFL after three years at Texas A&M. Despite sitting second on the depth chart behind Isaiah Spiller for two years in College Station, Achane broke out in his sophomore season as RB2. After averaging 8.5 yards per carry as a true freshman in limited time, Achane continued that outrageous efficiency with more touches, averaging seven yards per carry en route to a 910-yard, nine-touchdown season. Unfortunately, Achane’s lone season leading the backfield for the Aggies was the 12th Man’s only losing season since 2009, but he continued to produce with 1,102 yards and eight touchdowns rushing.
In a loaded draft class for running backs, Achane received high grades, but his short, stout frame caused him to slip far behind the first-round ranks of Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs. After getting selected in the third round by Miami, Achane joined a backfield that had struggled through the 2022 season led by Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, Chase Edmonds, Salvon Ahmed, and Myles Gaskin. With Achane spelling him, Mostert excelled in a starting role, rushing for over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career and leading the league in rushing touchdowns with 18.
Used to coming off the bench with efficiency, Achane was not slowed down by the transition to the NFL. After receiving one carry in the team’s first two contests, he exploded onto to the scene with rushing lines of 18 carries-203 yards-2 touchdowns, 8-101-2, and 11-151-1 in his next three games before landing on injured reserve with a knee injury. Despite the time missed due to injury, Achane finished the year with 800 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 7.8 yards per carry.
Achane took lead back duties from Mostert the following year, but a far less effective all-around unit resulted in Achane finishing with just 907 yards and six touchdowns rushing, though he added a new element to his game with 78 catches for 592 yards and six more scores. Last year, Achane bounced back much closer to the expectations that followed his explosive start in 2023. Starting all 16 games for Miami, he totaled 1,350 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, adding 488 yards and four touchdowns receiving.
Unfortunately for Achane, as he’s gotten healthier and returned to form, the Dolphins have backslid into what looks now to be a rebuild. Former starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was released, shouldering Miami with record-setting dead money, star wide receiver Tyreek Hill was released, and WR2 Jaylen Waddle has been traded away. While the Dolphins were okay parting ways with those key assets, it seemed Achane was where they drew the line.
As the team’s 2025 campaign finally began to come to a close, Achane made it known that he intended to stay in Miami, telling reporters he was seeking an extension. As a lack of team success spurred several teams to inquire about potential assets the Dolphins might be willing to move, the team made it clear that Achane was not available. The 24-year-old was absent from voluntary team activities once April came, but extension talks were well underway by then and really starting to gain traction. He’s landed his new deal now and become a key building block for the franchise.
To ease the financial pains of the transactions that removed Tagovailoa, Hill, and Waddle, Achane and center Aaron Brewer agreed to restructured deals. Well, according to Louis-Jacques, Brewer is believed to be one of two other players expected to follow Achane’s lead to a new extension. The other player Louis-Jacques beileves could land a new deal soon is veteran linebacker Jordyn Brooks.
Makes sense. Waited for Breece to sign, then jumped at the extension opportunity. Don’t blame him at all.
Seems like the only good thing to happen to Fins in awhile.
Stephen Ross: “We learned that making ‘Pet Detective’ movies doesn’t transform a team into an NFL powerhouse”.
HC and GM both come from Green Bay, they’ve already stated how that offense is gonna be centered around that run game, he definitely deserves that money
Good time to get extended, with no other weapons on the field to help him, unless the rookies can develop quickly along with Willis. If the line can stay healthy, maybe a respectable offense by the end of the year. Achane will definitely get overused. Fans have to hope he can handle the workload again while staying healthy.
If Procter can come out guns blazing and live up to his billing as a 1st rounder, that will definitely help out Achane
I never used to be big on paying running backs top dollar, and I still don’t think it’s smart to use an early first rounder on one, but RB salaries are going up so much slower than the cap and wide receiver salaries. How can you be mad about paying DeVon Achane 4 years $68 million with 32 guaranteed when Alec Pierce got 4 years $114 million with 84 guaranteed? And I like Alec Pierce! But even with injury risk and positional value around Achane, we’re talking about an upper tier NFL weapon here and he’s making the same money as Romeo Doubs, who’s what, the 45th best receiver in football? (And I like Doubs too.)
No brainer for Miami. This dude is one of the most dynamic players in football and an unbelievably explosive running back.
He’s exactly who you build an offense around.
Don’t like paying running backs this much money (and saquon is one of my favorite football players ever.) Achane is definitely a great player but I’d just have major issues paying a rb that much money and especially one his size. I know he’s been able to stay healthy and he definitely plays bigger than his height. I’d just be concerned.
I wouldn’t think of Achane as “just” a RB given his influence on the passing game. He had over 1800 scrimmage yards and 12 combined TD last season. For that reason, I think he’s worth it.
I get it definitely. My issue is more the size thing especially as he ages but looks like it’s essentially just a 2 year deal anyway so shouldn’t Hopefully be a big deal.
You pay RBs based on the value they bring, and this guy brings Gurley level value as the guy they build their offense around.
Little man as the workhorse? Has disaster contract written all over it. Fun to watch from a distance… By the time they’re competitive again his contract will be done and he’ll be washed from overuse.
They really need Diggs. Something I never thought I’d say lol.
Just like the Breece Hall contract, why would you chain yourself to this boat anchor franchise?
I get wanting to get your money and I’m glad for him getting paid. However, kiss good bye to actually winning anything in your career. I guess the weather and the no state taxes will have to surfice.
he’s played well and deserves to get paid
Another reporter that’s wrong. What a shocker. But hey, first is more important that accurate in today’s “news”.