Extension Talks Progressing Between Dolphins, RB De’Von Achane
De’Von Achane did not report to the beginning of Miami’s offseason program. To no surprise, his absence was linked to his desire for an extension.
The Pro Bowl running back is eligible for a new deal, and he has been mentioned on multiple occasions as a key part of the rebuilding Dolphins’ long-term plans. New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has stated an Achane trade will not receive consideration, distinguishing him from several other players Miami has moved on from. Signs continue to point to a long-term agreement in this case.
Achane was seen in the Dolphins’ facility on Thursday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. He adds this is viewed as a good-faith move with respect to contract negotiations. Achane’s presence comes shortly after Sullivan noted recent extension talks have yielded progress. Indeed, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald indicates an agreement can be expected at some point. A deal would prevent Achane from testing the market next spring.
As a rookie, the former third-rounder flashed considerable potential by averaging a whopping 7.8 yards per attempt. Achane was limited to 11 games that year, but he has been healthy since. The Texas A&M product took on starting duties in 2024 and remained a focal point on offense this past season. In 2025, he set or matched career highs in several categories and racked up 1,838 scrimmage yards and 12 total touchdowns.
A large payday is in store as a result. Achane, 24, is a logical candidate for a long-term investment on the part of the Dolphins. Six running backs are currently attached to deals averaging $14MM per year or more, and the likes of Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson are in position to reset the RB market. Achane is unlikely to command as much as Gibbs and Robinson on their deals, but without a fifth-year option present in his case the Dolphins will need to move with a degree of urgency to finalize a pact prior to the start of the 2026 season.
Sullivan and Co. are of course focused on the upcoming draft as things stand. An Achane extension could be worked out over the coming days, but even if not a deal will still be expected at some time this offseason.
Malachi Lawrence Drawing Major Interest
APRIL 16: The Patriots used a “30” visit on Lawrence, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald relays. In addition to the Pats and the previously reported Colts, 49ers, Seahawks and Texans, Lawrence met with the Cardinals, Chiefs, Falcons, Saints, Chargers, Ravens, Eagles, Dolphins, Buccaneers, Commanders, Raiders, Titans and Jets, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.
APRIL 9: As a potential first- or second-round pick, UCF edge defender Malachi Lawrence is generating significant interest in the lead-up to the NFL draft. Sixteen teams have set up visits with Lawrence, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. The Colts, 49ers and Seahawks will all meet with him this week.
The 6-foot-4, 253-pound Lawrence’s college career took off as a redshirt sophomore in 2023. He registered 10.5 tackles for loss and a personal-best 7.5 sacks in 13 games that year. Lawrence’s production dropped a bit during an 11-game 2024 (six TFL, five sacks), but he earned a first-team All-Big 12 selection last season. Over 12 games, Lawrence picked up 11 TFL and seven sacks.
Lawrence further boosted his stock with an off-the-charts performance at the Combine, where he ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash. He finished second among edge defenders at the Combine in 40 time, 10-yard split, vertical jump and broad jump (via PFF College). Dane Brugler of The Athletic (No. 36) and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com (No. 46) consider Lawrence a top-50 prospect.
The Colts were a passable 15th in sacks last season, but they ranked an alarming 30th in pass rush win rate. The team made a run at Trey Hendrickson early in free agency, but the Ravens won that sweepstakes. The Colts have settled for modest additions (Arden Key and Micheal Clemons) to replace the departed Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam. They continue to lack needle-moving pass rushers to complement Laiatu Latu. Indianapolis is without a first-round pick, but Lawrence could be on the board when it selects 47th overall in the second round.
The 49ers will pick 27th and 58th in the first two rounds. They totaled the fewest sacks in the league last season, though losing Nick Bosa to a Week 3 ACL tear heavily contributed to their struggles. They should get Bosa and Mykel Williams, who tore his ACL in November, back next season. The rest of their edge rushers – Sam Okuayinonu, Keion White, William Bradley-King, Andrew Farmer and the just-signed Cameron Sample – combined for just five sacks last year. With that in mind, bolstering the pass rush via the draft should be a high priority for the 49ers.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks aren’t exactly teeming with weaknesses, but taking an edge defender early may be on their to-do list. Owners of just four picks, including Nos. 32 and 64 in the first two rounds, the Seahawks lost Boye Mafe in free agency. They have not brought in a replacement for Maye, and the clock is ticking on Demarcus Lawrence‘s career. The soon-to-be 34-year-old pondered retirement after the season, which could add to the Seahawks’ urgency to make a notable investment along the edge.
DE A.J. Epenesa Visits Dolphins
Free agent defensive end A.J. Epenesa temporarily came off the market when he agreed to sign with the Browns on March 18. Eleven days later, the Browns called off the one-year, $5MM deal as a result of a failed physical. Epenesa has not landed anywhere since, but he visited the Dolphins on Thursday (via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network).
A second-round pick from Iowa in 2020, Epenesa spent the first six years of his career with Buffalo, one of Miami’s AFC East rivals. Although Cleveland was not comfortable with Epenesa’s health, he has appeared in no fewer than 14 games in each season.
Aside from a 13-start 2024, Epenesa has typically worked in a rotational role. While he totaled just 2.5 sacks and logged a defensive snap share around 30% over 28 games in his first two seasons, Epenesa put together three straight six-sack years and averaged 10 QB hits from 2022-24.
After playing a career-high 55.43% of defensive snaps two years ago, his lone 17-game season, the number dropped to 44.6 over 16 contests in 2025. Working as a backup behind Greg Rousseau and Joey Bosa, Epenesa picked up 37 tackles, nine QB hits and 2.5 sacks. He also recorded the second two-interception season of his career and deflected four passes. Epenesa has averaged approximately five PDs per year since 2022.
After Epenesa and Bosa hit the open market last month, the Bills brought in former Dolphin Bradley Chubb to join Rousseau as their top edge defenders. Chubb led the Dolphins with 8.5 sacks in 2025, but they released him in a cap-cutting move. Looking for complements to Chop Robinson, the Dolphins have brought in Josh Uche and David Ojabo on inexpensive deals. Depending on how his visit went, Epenesa could be a candidate to join them.
T Caleb Lomu Completes 10-Visit Itinerary
Wednesday marks the final opportunity for teams to conduct “30” visits, and the 49ers received the latest meeting with Utah’s Caleb Lomu. While San Francisco met with the Utah tackle Tuesday night, many other teams brought in the first-round talent during the pre-draft process.
We covered Lomu’s Browns and Eagles meetings, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport confirms the college LT also met with the Bears, Chiefs, Dolphins, Lions, Panthers, Rams and Texans. One of several tackles viewed as first-round options, Lomu checks in as a blindside option (well, for everyone but the Falcons) compared to some of this class’ other top targets — who have played right tackle and been linked to potential guard shifts.
A two-year LT starter at Utah, Lomu earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025. He did not allow a sack last year, per Dane Brugler of The Athletic. The 6-foot-6 blocker joins Spencer Fano as ex-Utes projected to be first-round picks. Lomu did not dabble in RT work, making all 24 of his collegiate starts on the left side while Fano manned the RT post. Lomu checks in 26th on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board, sitting behind Francis Mauigoa (10th), Fano (13th), Blake Miller (19th), Monroe Freeling (20th) and Kadyn Proctor (22nd) among tackles.
The Chiefs continue to be connected to tackles — on both sides, as their Trent Williams ties remind — and the team is at least considering using a high draft choice to replace the since-released Jawaan Taylor (now a Falcon). Jaylon Moore remains an option in K.C., which has 2025 first-round pick Josh Simmons tentatively slated to continue starting at LT. Kansas City holds the Nos. 9 and 29 overall picks.
The Rams, who traded No. 29 to the Chiefs, sit at No. 13. They have Alaric Jackson at LT and Warren McClendon slated to succeed Rob Havenstein at RT. The Lions (No. 17) are in need — most likely at right tackle — after Taylor Decker‘s release, a move likely set to precede Penei Sewell sliding to LT. The Panthers (No. 19) signed Rasheed Walker as an Ikem Ekwonu stopgap; RT Taylor Moton‘s 2025 extension runs through 2027. Ozzy Trapilo is expected to miss most of the 2026 season following a patellar tendon tear, though the Bears re-signed Braxton Jones to compete with Theo Benedet — as of now, at least — at LT.
Miami (No. 11) rosters Patrick Paul but has Austin Jackson in a contract year; the veteran RT accepted a pay cut last month. Houston has struggled up front for a bit and has been connected to further bolstering its group via the draft. The Texans traded up for Aireontae Ersery last year and signed Braden Smith at right tackle (as 2024 second-rounder Blake Fisher has been unable to commandeer that gig).
Lastly, the 49ers are at least in need of a possible long-term LT solution. They continue to negotiate with Williams, who is heading into an age-38 season and the final year of his reworked contract. Colton McKivitz is going into a fourth season as San Francisco’s right tackle.
Dolphins RB De’Von Achane ‘Not Available For Trade’
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.
TE Darren Waller Unlikely To Return To Dolphins; Team Extended Offer To TE Julian Hill
At present, the Dolphins’ tight end depth chart is topped by Greg Dulcich, and according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the team is just fine with that arrangement. When asked to name the player he is most excited to see take a step forward in 2026, new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan identified Dulcich and said, “he had a really good back end to the season. I want to see if he can build on that. That’s why we brought him back.”
Dulcich, 26, is a former third-round pick of the Broncos who flashed in his rookie season in 2022, catching 33 passes for 411 yards and two scores. He compiled those stats in just 10 games, as he was forced to miss time due to a hamstring injury. Another hamstring ailment limited him to two contests in 2023, and he was a healthy scratch for the first eight games of the 2024 slate before Denver waived him.
Though the Giants claimed Dulcich off waivers, they utilized him on just 27 offensive snaps over five games and then jettisoned him during final roster cutdowns last August. The Dolphins added him to their taxi squad, and he was promoted to the active roster in late October as the corresponding move when fellow tight end Darren Waller was placed on injured reserve.
In 10 games (three starts) in 2025, Dulcich posted 26 catches for 335 yards and a touchdown. He continued to have a role in the offense even after Waller returned from IR, and as Sullivan indicated, the team’s new regime was intrigued enough to re-sign him (we did not provide contract details previously, but per OverTheCap.com, Dulcich’s deal is a one-year, $3.25MM pact, most of which is guaranteed).
Waller, meanwhile, is not expected back, as Jackson writes. Now 33, Waller came out of retirement last season, and the Dolphins acquired him via trade with the Giants, who still held his rights. As part of the trade, Waller signed a one-year, $5MM contract with the ‘Fins, but a hip injury pushed his Miami debut to Week 4, and then the above-referenced IR placement – which was triggered by a pectoral strain – cost him more time.
The 2020 Pro Bowler showed he still has something left in the tank, as he hauled in 24 passes for 284 yards and six touchdowns. On the other hand, health issues limited him to just nine games, and he expressed uncertainty about his playing future in December. If he does get another NFL deal, it appears it will not come from the Dolphins.
In more Dolphins TE news, Jackson says the team made an offer to Julian Hill in free agency. Prior to last year’s Waller acquisition, Hill seemed poised to operate as Miami’s top tight end, but he ended up taking a backseat to both Waller and Dulcich. The former UDFA caught 15 passes for 140 scoreless yards last season but was able to secure a three-year, $15MM deal ($7.5MM guaranteed) from the Patriots last month. According to Jackson, that offer was “much more lucrative” than the one the Dolphins extended.
Miami did add Ben Sims as a potential Hill replacement and also hosted NC State prospect Justin Joly on a predraft visit. Joly profiles as a late Day 2/early Day 3 talent.
Dolphins High On Spencer Fano, Host Chase Bisontis
New Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said shortly after he was hired (via David Furones of the Sun Sentinel) that he would rebuild Miami’s roster “from the inside out.”
However, the Dolphins let starting right guard Cole Strange leave in free agency and only added depth pieces like Jamaree Salyer and Charlie Heck. Not only do they need to replace Strange, they could also upgrade over 2025 second-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea at the other guard spot after his rough rookie year. Right tackle Austin Jackson has struggled with injuries and is entering the final year of his contract. Only center Aaron Brewer and left tackle Patrick Paul profile as clear long-term starters in Miami.
Luckily for the Dolphins, the 2026 draft class is deep at offensive line, particularly at guard where the Dolphins need immediate help the most. There are also a number of offensive tackles who could contribute on the inside as a rookie with the ability to succeed Jackson in the long-term.
Spencer Fano, a likely first-round pick out of Utah, could be the best of both worlds. The Dolphins are “big fans” of the versatile blocker, per ESPN’s Jordan Reid, making him an option for the 11th overall pick. He excelled at right tackle for the Utes in 2024 and 2025, but has been projected to move inside in the NFL due to his sub-33-inch arms. That may not be the case in Miami.
Sullivan’s last team, the Packers, frequently targets tackles with shorter arms with a higher priority on their athleticism and evaluation on tape. He will likely bring that philosophy to the Dolphins, who will run an offshoot of the Shanahan-McVay offensive scheme under new coordinator Bobby Slowik that also emphasizes athletic blockers up front. Fano, who impressed with his movement skills at the Combine, would fit that system perfectly.
Should the Dolphins not land Fano or another offensive linemen with one of their two first-round picks, they will likely prioritize the position on Day 2. Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis, who visited Miami this week, is a potential target at No. 43 overall, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. He is also an exciting athlete with potential multi-position versatility having spent time at left guard and right tackle during his time at College Station, though his sub-32-inch arms may be too short for any team to play him outside.
Dolphins To Host WR Denzel Boston
With his stock seemingly on the rise two-plus weeks from the draft, Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston has booked another “30” visit. He will trek to Dolphins headquarters next week, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.
Boston was already considered a potential first-round pick entering Tuesday. An eye-opening report then surfaced indicating some teams regard Boston as one of the two or three best receivers in this draft class. If true, that puts Boston in company with Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and USC’s Makai Lemon. Either or each of those two could go inside the top 10 or at least in the first half of the opening round.
The Dolphins own the 11th and 30th overall picks, prime spots to upgrade a barren receiving corps. If Miami selects Boston, he would immediately become its most talented pass catcher. The Dolphins traded No. 1 option Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos last month. The deal netted the Dolphins their second first-rounder (among other choices), but it left new starting quarterback Malik Willis with no real receiving threats other than running back De’Von Achane.
Malik Washington, who averaged a paltry 6.9 yards per catch on 46 receptions last season, and cheap free agent pickups Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert are likely Miami’s top receivers right now. That figures to change in a couple of weeks, whether the Dolphins use a high pick on Boston or another wideout.
The 6-foot-4, 212-pound Boston was a sure-handed red zone threat at Washington, where he averaged 63 catches, 858 yards and 10 touchdowns per year over the previous two seasons. Ranking Boston as the 27th-best prospect in this class, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com likens him to Broncos standout Courtland Sutton. Along with the Dolphins, Boston has booked visits with the Commanders, Steelers, 49ers and Browns.
R Mason Thomas Sets Up Several Visits
After earning first-team All-SEC honors in 2025, Oklahoma edge defender R Mason Thomas may have a chance to come off the board late in the first round of this year’s draft. Several teams are showing interest in the 6-foot-2, 241-pounder. In addition to the previously reported Browns, Thomas has lined up visits with the Dolphins, Seahawks, Buccaneers and Patriots, per Arye Pulli of SI.com.
Thomas had a quiet first two seasons at Oklahoma, where he combined for 1.5 sacks in 19 games from 2022-23. His production increased dramatically during his junior season, in which he totaled 12.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks and two forced fumbles in 13 contests. Thomas added another two FFs last year, though his TFLs (9.5) and sacks (6.5) understandably dipped during a 10-game season.
Thomas missed three games after suffering a quad injury on a 71-yard fumble return touchdown in a win over Tennessee on Nov. 1. He returned to make three tackles in a 34-24 loss to Alabama in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
With his Sooners tenure in the rearview mirror, there are questions on how high Thomas will go in the draft. Anywhere after the second round would come as a surprise. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com ranks Thomas as this year’s 49th-best prospect, calling him “an instinctive and physical edge defender” while dinging him for a lack of “ideal height/length/bulk.” Jeremiah expects Thomas to turn into a solid starter, which is something most of the teams eyeing him could use.
The Browns have the best edge defender in the NFL, Myles Garrett, but could make an addition there after backing out of an agreement with A.J. Epenesa. Having released their 2025 leader in sacks, Bradley Chubb, the Dolphins are lacking high-upside complements to Chop Robinson. The reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks lost Boye Mafe to the Bengals in free agency. The Buccaneers are thin on the edge beyond YaYa Diaby and Al-Quadin Muhammad. Meanwhile, after winning the AFC, the Patriots essentially swapped K’Lavon Chaisson for Dre’Mont Jones in free agency. With both Jones and Harold Landry nearing the age of 30, making a notable investment in a younger pass rusher via the draft could be in store. Thomas, who will turn 22 in August, may end up as the Patriots’ answer.
Dolphins RB De’Von Achane Absent For Start Of Voluntary Workouts
The Dolphins are in the early stages of a major rebuild, but new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has identified running back De’Von Achane as a long-term building block. The Dolphins aim to extend Achane, but with no deal in place, he was not present for the first day of voluntary workouts on Tuesday. Achane’s absence was related to his desire for a new contract, C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald reports.
As a 2023 third-round pick, Achane’s production has vastly outweighed his salary during his three-year career. Based on that, he has an obvious case for a significant raise this offseason. The Texas A&M product thrived under former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as both a runner and pass catcher. He has averaged a whopping 5.6 yards per carry on 544 attempts, caught 172 passes and racked up 35 touchdowns (22 rushing, 13 receiving) 44 games into his NFL career.
While little went right for Miami during a seven-win 2025 campaign, McDaniel’s last at the helm, Achane was a rare bright spot. The 24-year-old surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time, going for 1,350 on 238 carries (5.7 YPC), added a team-high 67 receptions for another 488 yards (7.3 average), and totaled 12 TDs (eight on the ground, four receiving). Achane, who ranked sixth in all-purpose yards (1,838) and 12th in scores, earned his first Pro Bowl nod.
Achane is currently due to earn $5.77M in 2026, but if a deal comes together, Smalls points to the extension the Bills’ James Cook signed last summer as a potential comp. Then heading into his fourth season, Cook inked a four-year, $48MM pact. He now ranks third at his position in total value and in guarantees ($28.82MM), though his average salary checks in lower (10th). As Smalls notes, Cook is likely to drop down the list if backs like the Falcons’ Bijan Robinson, the Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs, the Jets’ Breece Hall and the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor land new deals in the coming months.
With the price for running backs rising, it would behoove the Dolphins to lock up Achane sooner than later. For now, rookie Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley seems unconcerned. Hafley expressed confidence on Tuesday that the two sides will “work it out.”