The Dolphins’ trade of WR Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos came out of the blue last week. There was significant buzz about Waddle at last year’s deadline, but things had cooled since then. The latest word on him from the team and national reporters was that he was one of the building blocks Miami wanted to keep. 

In hindsight, he might have been more available than people realized, but it was still a shocking trade. The Dolphins added first and third-round picks to their war chest of draft assets this year while also ringing up another $23 million in dead money to a mind-blowing $179 million total for 2026. By all appearances, the tank is on for the second time in the last 10 years for the Dolphins. 

If the Dolphins are tanking, it’s only natural to speculate who else could be available. By far the biggest headliner is RB De’Von Achane. Miami was careful to get the word out after trading Waddle that Achane wasn’t available. They also restructured his contract, which would seem to be another indicator that the Dolphins plan for him to stick around. 

Still, you could probably count with both hands the number of non-quarterbacks from all 32 teams combined who are truly unavailable in a trade. The rest just need the right offer to shake loose. The party line out of Miami with Achane is awfully reminiscent of how things sounded with Waddle. You know the saying: fool me once, shame on you. 

Fool me twice? Shame on me…

Why would Miami trade Achane? 

The trade speculation around Achane has more legs than just “oh the Dolphins are trading away anyone with value.” Waddle was 27 years old and on a notable second contract, so there was a decent chance that by the time Miami was ready to compete, he wouldn’t hold the same value. In that context, trading him away for the massive haul he fetched from the Broncos was logical. 

Achane is three years younger than Waddle and still on his rookie contract, so when the Dolphins say they view him as a building block, there are some reasons to take them at their word. But the position he plays — running back — creates some complications, especially with the end of his rookie deal after this fall. 

Pushed by the burgeoning influence of analytics both in front offices around the league and in media circles, there has been an effective war waged on running backs in the last 10 years. Despite salaries booming for many other positions as the salary cap rose, the running back market went backward for a while. “Running backs don’t matter” was the pithy slogan that viralized a harsh truth; teams weren’t accounting for the bountiful supply of NFL-caliber running back talents or the position’s short shelf life due to the physical toll. As a result, they consistently overpaid and overvalued running backs. 

Now you could argue the pendulum has swung too far the other way. That’s the argument Achane’s agents are going to make when the two sides engage in talks later this summer. Players who can create explosive plays any time they touch the ball are in high demand, and Achane certainly fits the bill. Despite diminutive size for a running back (5-9 and 191 pounds), he runs hard and has been healthy the past two seasons. 

Achane has been one of the league’s most explosive playmakers since entering the league as a third-round pick in 2023. He ran a blistering 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the Combine and was prioritized by former Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel as he built the NFL’s best 4×100 relay team. On just 103 carries as a rookie, he had 800 yards, eight touchdowns and averaged 7.8 yards per carry. 

In his second season, he had nearly 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 12 total touchdowns. Last year, he topped 1,000 yards rushing for the first time, racking up 1,350 yards and eight scores while leading the NFL with a 5.7 yards per carry. Achane had another 488 yards and four touchdowns through the air, leading to his first Pro Bowl selection. 

He’s in line for a lucrative new contract. How lucrative is the question. The Dolphins will almost certainly point to recent extensions for Bills RB James Cook and Rams RB Kyren Williams as a starting point, both of whom landed around $11 million per year. Achane’s sights could be set far higher, though, especially if his camp leverages the team’s supposed unwillingness to trade him. His reps could make a case for Achane to be near the top of the market at $18 million a year or more, especially if his contract is adjusted for salary cap growth. 

If the Dolphins disagree about that value, it’s setting up for a standoff. Running backs don’t usually have a ton of leverage because their primes tend to be shorter and teams can threaten two straight franchise tags. In that scenario, Achane would have to avoid injuries for three years to earn the right to test the market at age 27. For runners, it almost always makes more sense to take the certainty of a long-term offer if it’s on the table. 

If Miami’s tanking, that might change the calculus for Achane somewhat. There’s even less incentive to put his body through the rigors of a season without a new deal, especially because he’s Miami’s only offensive skill player of note right now. Another potential wrinkle is the Dolphins restructuring his contract and making his 2026 compensation more secure, which could mean he’d forfeit less salary in any holdout. 

Any contract dispute would automatically make a trade a consideration, as teams have to weigh the prospect of losing a player for nothing at some point down the line. It’s also possible the Dolphins’ stance about not trading Achane is essentially a fishing expedition to try and hook a deal that’s too good to turn down — kind of like what happened with Waddle. 

What could Miami get for Achane?

As running backs have become more devalued, there have been fewer trades involving the position and for less compensation. The one deal that stands out among a battery of mid-rounders and pick swaps is San Francisco’s blockbuster for RB Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers sent the Panthers second, third, fourth and fifth-round picks — a pretty good haul that Carolina squandered entirely. 

Achane doesn’t have the resume McCaffrey did, but something similar might have to be put on the table for Miami to part with Achane. Like the Panthers in 2022, the Dolphins are a rebuilding team with a ton of needs looking to rebalance with young assets. McCaffrey was 26 at the time of the trade and the Panthers weren’t sure if he’d still be playing well by the time they were competitive again, especially with his injury history. That deal has worked out well for San Francisco and Achane is two years younger than McCaffrey was. 

Not many backs could command a second-round pick in a trade, but just that solitary selection probably isn’t enough to get the Dolphins to reconsider. A first-round pick could probably do the trick, but it’s debatable if there would be any team willing to both put that on the table and then sign Achane to a huge deal. 

The other potential parallel to note is when RB Jonathan Taylor was going through his contract squabble with the Colts. The Dolphins were actually one of the teams that checked in on the price, but Indianapolis was aiming high, asking for Waddle in return, per ESPN. They also asked the Packers for WR Christian Watson. Needless to say, neither deal went anywhere, but that could offer a potential alternative framework in any potential Achane deal.  

Potential landing spots

Figuring out which teams might be interested in Achane goes beyond just the ones that have a need at running back. Achane is skilled enough as a receiver that potential suitors will view him as an all-around explosive playmaker who can add a spark to the offense. Creative minds seeking an explosive weapon will be drawn more to him than old-school coaches, especially at his size. 

There’s also an element of a front office that’s willing to zig against the zag. Think Eagles GM Howie Roseman signing RB Saquon Barkley to a huge deal in free agency, recognizing that Barkley was a rare talent who was only available in free agency because his former front office couldn’t get past the running back label. Any GM giving up significant draft capital for a running back is going to be bashed, and not all of them have the stomach for that kind of move. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Offer: 2026 2nd (No. 56), 2026 3rd (No. 88), 2026 4th (No. 124)

If zany is a trait we’re looking for in a potential Achane suitor, the Jaguars would check that box based on the past year of work from the new front office. In his first year on the job, Jaguars GM James Gladstone masterminded a trade up from No. 5 to No. 2 overall, giving up a second in 2025 and a first-round pick in 2026 to go up just three spots because he wanted two-way sensation Travis Hunter. The big moves continued into the season with a deadline deal for WR Jakobi Meyers, proving Gladstone is not afraid to make a big swing. 

Another influence on Gladstone from his time with the Rams is an emphasis on investing heavily in players who score touchdowns. That was part of the appeal in moving up for Hunter, and it was a philosophy that undergirded a lot of his moves his first year. With 35 touchdowns in his first three seasons, Achane would certainly perk Gladstone’s interest as an impact player, even if he doesn’t play a traditional premium position. 

Jacksonville let RB Travis Etienne walk this offseason because his price got too rich for their blood in free agency. They did move to sign RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., who played for HC Liam Coen at Kentucky. He’s a two-down grinder who will complement the more explosive Bhayshul Tuten, expected to take a bigger role in his second year. The Jaguars also have 2025 seventh-rounder LeQuint Allen Jr., who carved out a third-down role as a rookie due to his pass protection prowess. 

On paper, that looks like a crowded backfield. But Achane’s versatility and explosiveness would allow him to fit in as a major upgrade over the whole depth chart. The Jaguars do need that explosive element. Meyers and WR Parker Washington are more of chain movers, while Hunter and WR Brian Thomas Jr. are still finding their groove on offense under the new staff. Tuten is a compact ball of dynamite, but he had just 307 rushing yards as a rookie. 

While the Jaguars don’t have their first-round pick due to the Hunter trade, they actually are well-stocked with draft capital this year, owning 11 total selections, including three in the third round thanks to another draft-day trade with the Lions last year. They could give up these three picks for Achane and still have two selections in the top 100. 

Los Angeles Rams

Offer: 2026 1st swap (No. 13 to No. 30), CB Emmanuel Forbes, 2026 7th (No. 251), 2026 7th (No. 252)

There’s been some chatter about the Rams as a potential candidate to trade up aggressively for Notre Dame’s RB Jeremiyah Love, with the idea being to add a finishing piece who can add even more explosiveness to one of the league’s best offenses and help power Los Angeles to a ring. If more explosive plays are the goal, Achane would fill that need, too. And in this scenario, he’s less expensive. 

The difference between the No. 13 and No. 30 pick depends on which trade calculator you use, but on the classic Jimmy Johnson chart, it’s equal to No. 37 overall. The move up gets the Dolphins’ a second pick in a range of the draft where they might have more blue chip talent on their board, though, plus a handful of dart throws for the rebuilding year. For the Rams, it gives them a proven commodity without sacrificing a first-round pick. 

I considered having the Rams send back a running back to simplify a backfield that would get super crowded with the addition of Achane. But the veteran Williams is too expensive and doesn’t fit the Dolphins’ timeline, while I’m not sure how interested they’d be in either of the backs on rookie deals (Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter) compared to a dart throw at a more premium position like corner. The Rams would likely look to flip either Corum or Williams after this trade. There’s still room for another back with Achane given he’ll likely play more of an offensive joker role than a true bell cow running back. 

Minnesota Vikings

Offer: WR Jordan Addison, RB Aaron Jones, 2026 3rd-4th swap (No. 97 to No. 130)

The Vikings might find an alternative framework more appealing for a trade than giving up pure draft capital considering their need to restock the roster with young talent. Addison is a chip that will draw trade interest from other teams in the coming weeks, as there’s speculation about his long-term outlook in Minnesota. Some local buzz has indicated the Vikings are budgeting an extension for him, but it remains to be seen if that aligns with the value Addison sees for himself. 

Addison has also been a little bit of a wildcard off the field — nothing nefarious, just a couple of weird incidents where alcohol has been involved. One of those resulted in a three-game suspension this past season. The Vikings have to decide on his fifth-year option this May, worth $18 million fully guaranteed for the 2027 season. 

Not only could the Dolphins find the opportunity to pivot to a more premium position attractive, the two years of control and the final year of Addison’s rookie contract also make him an excellent fit into their current build. This would allow them to replace Waddle with a younger option while still retaining the draft capital to make further upgrades to the roster. 

One of the major questions for the Dolphins after the Waddle trade was how it would impact their evaluation of QB Malik Willis, who got a sizable free agent contract this offseason before Miami traded away his top target and left him with a pass-catching group that multiple colleges could probably top. Going after Addison gives them a proven NFL-caliber replacement who doesn’t break the bank financially. 

Jones’ inclusion in the deal also helps Willis’ supporting cast, giving Miami a replacement for Achane who still has some juice even at this stage of his career as long as his touches are limited. He took a pay cut to avoid being cut by the Vikings, which will help him fit onto Miami’s books. He didn’t overlap with Dolphins HC Jeff Hafley in Green Bay, but he’ll be a familiar face to GM Jon-Eric Sullivan. Back when Jones was coming off his rookie deal, there was also some strong buzz about him signing with Miami, so he might not be too bummed to land here even if the projected win total isn’t high. 

Seattle Seahawks

Offer: 2026 1st (No. 32)

It felt like I had to include the Seahawks here given the gaping hole the defending champs currently have at running back. Seattle didn’t want to get in a bidding war for Kenneth Walker Jr., allowing him to sign with the Chiefs for $14.3 million a year. With RB Zach Charbonnet rehabbing a torn ACL from a February surgery, the current Seahawks’ backfield for 2026 is some combination of Emanuel Wilson, George Holani and Kenny McIntosh. Either Seahawks GM John Schneider is about to push the RB wars to a new front, or more moves are coming. 

It would be weird for the Seahawks to let Walker leave over a difference in money, only to turn around and make a big trade for Achane that would basically force them to give him a bigger contract. I would characterize the Seahawks as a long shot for that reason, among others. Still, it has to be pointed out that Schneider is not afraid to make a big swing, especially when his picks are toward the end of the round like they are now. He has as many blockbuster trades under his belt as any other general manager. He’s also one of a handful of GMs who’ve selected a running back in the first round, taking the plunge on Rashaad Penny back in 2018. 

The appeal with Penny was his outstanding explosive play ability. When he was healthy and on the field, he had some huge runs for the Seahawks. He finished his career with a 5.6 YPC, but he was just never healthy consistently enough to make a huge impact. Schneider might not want to go down that road again but Achane is a different kind of player. He’s more explosive, more versatile and has been more durable so far. 

If the Seahawks are looking for the biggest bang for their buck at No. 32 overall, there’s a case to be made it’s a trade for Achane. There certainly aren’t going to be any other running backs who are nearly as good at that pick. 

Tennessee Titans

Offer: 2026 2nd (No. 35), 2026 3rd (No. 66), 2026 5th (No. 144), RB Tyjae Spears

There has been a considerable amount of buzz linking the Titans to Love with the No. 4 overall pick after Tennessee dedicated the majority of its resources in free agency to bulking up the defense for new HC Robert Saleh. They didn’t ignore the offense but there’s still work to do to build around last year’s No. 1 pick, QB Cam Ward, especially considering he’s the most important factor in whether the Titans will climb back into contention or remain mired in irrelevance. 

The No. 4 pick is quite the premium to pay for a running back, though, even one as talented as Love. If he’s the best player in the draft, perhaps it’s still worth it, but an alternative path could be trading for Achane with some of the Titans’ remaining draft capital. They have nine total picks, most of which are near the top of the round. Here, they offer three picks to enhance the Dolphins’ war chest, plus another satellite back in Spears who was drafted three picks before Achane in 2023.