De’Von Achane’s Contract Negotiations Set to Heat Up
The Miami Dolphins are facing a pivotal decision regarding star running back De’Von Achane, whose rookie contract is set to expire after the 2026 season. As Achane gears up for an extension this offseason, the Dolphins must navigate the complexities of his impending contract while considering the broader implications of their roster changes.
Achane, who is currently on a deal that will only cost the Dolphins $1.7 million against the cap in 2026, has established himself as a key contributor to the team’s offense. His performance suggests he is worth significantly more than his current salary, and it is likely he will push for a substantial raise. However, the Dolphins’ willingness to meet those demands will be influenced by potential changes in the front office and coaching staff, as well as their overall strategy moving forward.
Evaluating Achane’s Performance in the NFL
To understand Achane’s potential contract value, it’s essential to assess where he stands among NFL running backs. Currently, the elite tier features names like Jonathan Taylor, Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, and Bijan Robinson—players with established pedigree. While Achane has yet to reach that level, he certainly deserves recognition in the next tier, which includes rising talents like Jahmyr Gibbs, Josh Jacobs, and Alvin Kamara.
This season, Achane has put up impressive numbers:
Rushing yards: 780 (4th in the league)
Yards per attempt: 5.5 (tied for 2nd)
Touchdowns: 5 (tied for 11th)
Catches: 49 (2nd among running backs)
Receiving yards: 325 (3rd among running backs)
His performance firmly places him within the top 10 running backs in the league, and at just 24 years old, there is substantial potential for further growth.
Projected Terms of an Achane Extension
Now that we’ve established Achane’s standing in the running back landscape, we can begin to outline what a potential extension might look like. In an ideal scenario for Achane, he would command a contract that resets the market for young, productive players. However, the current climate for running backs is less favorable, with only Saquon Barkley currently earning over $20 million in average annual value (AAV).
A comparable deal to consider is the four-year, $46 million extension signed by Dalvin Cook, which includes $30 million in total guarantees. While Cook’s contract ranks him seventh in AAV at $11.5 million, it also features a significant amount of non-guaranteed money, making it relatively team-friendly.
Given Achane’s youth and burgeoning talent, a four-year contract seems reasonable. While he may not reach the top tier of running back salaries, he is likely to seek an AAV in the $12-12.5 million range. This would place him behind Taylor but ahead of Cook, aligning him alongside players like Kamara and Jacobs. Additionally, accounting for projected cap increases, Achane’s AAV could skew closer to $12.5 million.
This sets the stage for a potential contract in the range of $48.8 to $50.8 million over four years. While this would elevate Achane’s deal among the highest in total value, it would still position him within the lower half of AAV for top running backs.
The Road Ahead for Miami
As the Dolphins enter a critical offseason, the decision on Achane’s future will be one of the most significant challenges facing their new general manager. With the running back franchise tag set at $13.6 million— the lowest among non-special teams positions—there will be pressure on the organization to find a balance between rewarding Achane for his contributions and managing their salary cap effectively.
The coming months will undoubtedly be pivotal for both Achane and the Dolphins, as they work to navigate this complex contractual landscape.
