Why Not Trade Achane?

Why Not Trade Achane?

Omar Kelly, sports columnist for the Miami Herald, recently wrote an article that questioned De’Von Achane‘s future in Miami, saying that the Dolphins’ top brass and Achane’s agent were not close in negotiations.

Achane expects similar money to that of Buffalo Bills running back  James Cook, with a guaranteed $30 million and a $48 million, four-year contract.

Omar Kelly also makes a great point: if the Dolphins are going to make a trade for Achane, it should happen before the draft begins on April 23rd.

With the Dolphins in a rebuilding year, whether the top brass is saying that or not, can the Dolphins afford to keep Achane until they become legitimate contenders for the crown?

Achane would be approaching 30 by then, assuming the process takes 2-3 years, and a running back’s tenure is typically a shorter one than other positions.

So why not trade Achane now when he is in his peak performance years?

What if a team offers an early pick in 2026, say a second or third rounder, and a 2027 first-round pick?

Would that be enticing enough for Jon-Eric Sullivan to make a deal?

The same argument can be made for center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks.

The bigger question is that the new regime signed what they believe is the team’s future quarterback in Malik Willis, so removing his center and a Pro Bowl running back from the offense significantly compromises his chances of success.

Jaylen Waddle is already gone, so if Sullivan also pulls the trigger on Achane, the 2026 draft would have to produce big hits on playmakers on the offensive side of the ball.

With so many deficiencies on the roster, trading Achane, Brewer, or Brooks just doesn’t appear to be a move that Sullivan should make.

Instead, Sullivan needs to find some way to successfully negotiate contract extensions with these building blocks, or Malik Willis will be set up to fail.