The Case Against Moving On From Waddle and Achane

The Case Against Moving On From Waddle and Achane

The Miami Dolphins find themselves at 1-5 and facing the undeniable fact that the 2025 iteration of the team is not good. Their record might not scream talent, but there are certain players on the team that other contending squads might wish to acquire. Like vultures following a wounded animal, opposing general managers and beat writers start to consider which part is the juiciest.

There’s no malice in it, just the cold reality that the Dolphins can give themselves a better chance at success in the future if they move on from some players in the present. 

As a fan, it’s never easy to say goodbye to franchise stalwarts. The last time we were in this position was after the Adam Gase Era. The team openly tanked in an attempt to land one of the bigger-name quarterbacks in the 2020 NFL draft. They would end up drafting Tua Tagovailoa, and for a brief period of time, it seemed like everything worked out.

Life comes at you fast in the NFL, however, and so we’re here again, looking to be sellers at the deadline. At least according to writers with unnamed sources on the internet. So I figured I would discuss why it doesn’t make sense for the Dolphins to move on from two of their fastest stars.  

Jaylen Waddle 

Since joining the Dolphins in 2021 after a stellar collegiate career at Alabama, Waddle has become a fan favorite and earned the nickname the Penguin based on his waddle celebration. He’s also been productive, posting a stat line of 338 receptions for 4,519 yards and 23 touchdowns in 68 career games.

While his production has been lessened with the addition of Tyreek Hill, since Hill was injured, Waddle has emerged as the number 1 guy, with nine receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Panthers, and eight receptions for 95 yards in a losing effort against the Chargers. 

With the relationship between the team and Tyreek Hill in an awkward place, due to his recent injury and his comments at the end of last season, I believe it makes sense that the team would want to retain Waddle. The hope is that he can continue to be the premier target going forward. Building for the future is one thing, but after Waddle, the Dolphins’ receivers have failed to impress.

Malik Washington has shown flashes but still only has 16 receptions for 69 yards on the season, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has been all but absent thus far with just four receptions for 26 yards. Times are tough for Dolphins fans, and I don’t know if trading Waddle is the way to keep them engaged for the remainder of the season. 

De’Von Achane

Trading Achane would be an absolute nightmare. I shouldn’t be surprised that his name has been thrown out there as a potential trade target. I think 31 other teams in the league would love to have Achane in their backfield or split out wide. At this point in the season, Achane is the most exciting player on the field for Miami.