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NFL Insider says the Dolphins SHOULD Trade Achane

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk | By Julian Dieni | Last updated Mar 25, 2026 1:47 PM ET

NFL Insider says the Dolphins SHOULD Trade Achane

Respected NFL insider says the Miami Dolphins should trade star running back De’Von Achane. Schefter raises points of contention with the team, such as the estimated 2026 dead cap number being so high that it limits the potential addition of free agents. He also mentions that Miami has 43 players currently signed to the league minimum. The next highest number is just 31. This signals a rebuild, and one with potential to take a long time.

Schefter says that this rebuild is one of the most obvious cases he’s seen. A potential key to boosting this rebuild would be trading Achane, as it speeds up the teardown of the roster while helping stack draft picks. Schefter says the new regime has definitely been given a grace period by owner Stephen Ross, but questions surrounding the team can start to pile up in year 3 or 4.

Would it be smart to trade De’von Achane? Actually, I believe it would be. He would likely fetch the equivalent value of a 2026 first-round pick, which would give Miami 8 picks in the top 100, including 3 first-rounders. Achane being traded would leave less of a hole in the roster compared to the loss that Jaylen Waddle was.

A receiving corps consists of 6 rostered receivers, while Miami will likely carry only 3 running backs. This trade would also help facilitate long-term cap savings, as Achane is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will need an extension to avoid him hitting the open market after the 2026 season.

Miami is taking on the largest cap hit in NFL history with Tua Tagovailoa, and attempting to do something no other team has done before.

With @tyschmit

https://t.co/qroepfuXlF pic.twitter.com/NuWdbeqwDj

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 25, 2026

Is it likely that De’von Achane is moved before the NFL Draft or the start of the 2026 season? No! The Dolphins recently added a few void years to De’von Achane’s rookie deal, freeing up some immediate cap room, which will likely be used for the team’s draft class.

Regardless of that, the team can still trade him and just eat the void years’ cap room at a later time, but it is unlikely. Achane was cited as a building block for the team by new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, unlike former Dolphin Jaylen Waddle.

Though the running back market will likely be increasing in cost, it is still one of the cheaper position groups to pay. Keeping Achane would not be a detriment to the team and would leave Miami with one of the best running backs in the league, assuming the two sides can find a middle ground for an extension.

If you have an Achane jersey in your collection, I truly believe it is safe. Would it be the worst thing in the world if Miami received pick 32 in exchange for Achane? No.

But the question of “is it likely” is also met with the answer of no.

This article first appeared on Dolphins Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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