The Dolphins’ decision to lock up De'Von Achane this offseason is looking better by the day.
Miami gave its star back a four-year, $64 million extension, and the reaction around the league was split. That had less to do with Achane’s talent than with where the Dolphins stand as a team.
In a rebuilding situation, some questioned whether committing that kind of money made sense. But even with those doubts hanging around, the deal still looked like a smart bet on one of the league’s most electric playmakers and a clear win for new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
Then the Falcons handed the Dolphins a fresh comparison.
Bijan Robinson agreed to a three-year extension worth up to $75 million on Tuesday, with $51 million guaranteed. That guaranteed figure is the second-biggest among running back contracts, behind only rookie Jeremiah Love’s $53 million, which is tied to his status as the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft. Robinson has been outstanding in Atlanta, but the gap between his deal and Achane’s makes Miami’s number look even sharper.
Achane’s contract includes just over $27 million guaranteed, a far cry from Robinson’s total. And while Robinson has been excellent, he has not been so far ahead of Achane that the difference in guarantees feels justified.
The two backs entered the league in the same draft class in 2023, with Robinson going No. 8 overall and Achane landing at No. 84.
Since then, their production on a per-game basis has been remarkably close. Using 17-game averages from Pro Football Reference, Robinson has averaged 1,303 rushing yards, 579 receiving yards, 1,882 scrimmage yards and 11 total touchdowns.
Achane’s averages come in at 1,181 rushing yards, 493 receiving yards, 1,674 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns.
Robinson has the edge in total yardage, but that comes with heavier usage. On a yards-per-touch basis, Achane actually comes out ahead, 6.1 to 5.6. Robinson is the bigger, more physical runner and, at least in theory, can carry a larger offensive load than a back like Achane.
Even so, it’s tough to argue Robinson should be making nearly twice the guaranteed money, especially with neither Atlanta nor Miami sitting in a clear win-now window.
That doesn’t mean Robinson isn’t deserving of his contract. He is.
But it does make Achane’s deal look like a bargain. In a league that appears to be drifting back toward run-heavy football and defense-first thinking, Miami may have gotten ahead of the market.
Whether the Dolphins are ready to contend before Achane starts to slow down in his mid-to-late 20s is another question. For now, though, they have the kind of dynamic offensive centerpiece every team wants.
If it’s Achane, that’s a pretty good place to be.
In Other News...
Jeff Hafley Is Driving The Tougher Dolphins Identity Fans Want
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For a team that has spent plenty of time trying to change how it is perceived, that kind of directness matters. The Dolphins have long been judged by whether their culture can match their talent, and Hafleys comments suggested the staff is pushing for a more demanding standard in the defensive backfield and beyond. The real question now is how quickly that attitude can take hold once the offseason work turns into actual football. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Make Another D-Line Move As Injury Fallout Hits Depth
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The bigger issue for Miami is the hit to its interior depth, where a rookie defender is now expected to land on injured reserve after what head coach Jeff Hafley described as a season-ending injury. In that kind of scramble, even a modest roster move can matter, and the Dolphins are again trying to patch a spot that does not leave much margin for error. [Read more 🡒]
Bobby Slowik Is Already Tackling A Dolphins Problem Fans Know Too Well
Jeff Hafleys decision to keep Bobby Slowik in the building and elevate him to offensive coordinator has already started to reshape the Dolphins identity on offense. The new approach is leaning more straightforward and faster-paced than the system Miami ran under Mike McDaniel, and receiver Malik Washington has noticed the change as a positive for his own development. For a team that has long prided itself on motion, timing and misdirection, the early feel of this offense is different in ways that are hard to miss.
Slowik is also working to simplify things in a way that should suit players who want cleaner reads and a more direct rhythm. The broader goal is to make Miami more physical and more balanced, which gives the staff a chance to answer a familiar question about whether this group can hold up when the game turns into a grind. The framework is there, and the next step is seeing how quickly the Dolphins can make the new look feel like second nature. [Read more 🡒]