The Miami Dolphins are shaking things up, and the recent trade of wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos is a testament to that. In exchange for Waddle, the Dolphins secured a haul of picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including a coveted first-rounder, along with third and fourth-round selections. Miami also sent their own fourth-rounder to Denver, completing a blockbuster deal that could reshape both franchises.
Now, with Waddle out of the picture, the spotlight turns to running back De'Von Achane, arguably Miami's top remaining asset. Achane is coming off an electrifying 2025 season, where he racked up 1,350 rushing yards, 488 receiving yards, and found the end zone 12 times, earning his first Pro Bowl appearance. His ability to produce such numbers despite limited support around him speaks volumes about his talent.
With Achane's stock soaring, teams like the Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings might be dialing Miami's number soon. The Commanders, despite bolstering their running back lineup with Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, Jerome Ford, and Jeremy McNichols, still lack a true game-changer. Achane could be that missing piece, adding a dynamic edge to both their ground and aerial assaults, and easing the load on quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Meanwhile, the Vikings are in a similar boat. They've restructured Aaron Jones' contract, but at 32 and coming off an injury-riddled season, questions linger about his durability. Behind Jones are Jordan Mason and second-year player Zavier Scott, making the addition of Achane a potential game-changer for Minnesota's backfield.
However, acquiring Achane won't come cheap. The Dolphins set a high bar with the Waddle trade, and any team looking to snag Achane will need to offer a substantial package, likely including a first-round pick.
Beyond that, they'll need the financial flexibility to lock Achane into a lucrative long-term deal. The Commanders, with their current cap situation, appear well-positioned to make such a move.
As the dust settles from the Waddle trade, the NFL world waits to see if Miami's next big move involves sending Achane to a new home. One thing's for sure: the Dolphins are playing a high-stakes game, and they're not about to fold easily.