The Miami Dolphins could be one team that’s busy at the 2026 NFL Draft, especially on the first two days. Days before the draft on April 23, trades involving high-profile names have begun, as the Cincinnati Bengals traded the 10th overall pick for Dexter Lawrence II.
Meanwhile, Miami has one player that teams could trade draft capital for in this draft. De’Von Achane has been the subject of speculation, and with the draft now here, that speculation will only intensify as we see if any team decides to make a serious offer to the Dolphins for him.
During an April 21 appearance on “Pro Football Talk Live,” the Miami Herald’s Omar Kelly stated that the first two days of the draft will determine Achane’s future with the Dolphins.
“I’m of the position that if Achane isn’t dealt by the first two days of the draft, he’s certainly not going to get dealt, and really, the leverage swings back into the Miami Dolphins‘ favor,” Kelly said. “If you’re making smart business decisions, you make him play on the final year of his rookie deal, and then you franchise tag him.
“That’s $20 million over two seasons, $10 million a season. That’s a great price, especially when running backs are now making $16 million, $17 million or pushing for that… If teams haven’t offered up their first-round pick for De’Von Achane, you’re definitely not trading him because you don’t have many options out there outside of Jeremiyah Love.
“I don’t think he’s going to get moved during the draft. They say they’re not talking to teams, and they say they’re not fielding offers, but I wouldn’t even trade him for the 32nd pick if Seattle offered it to me.”
Miami Urged to Take Care of De’Von Achane
Kelly also stated that if the new regime under general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan wants to get off on the right foot with the players, it would be in their best interest to get a deal done with Achane.
“You’ve got to keep Achane comfortable, confident and in a leadership role,” Kelly added. “That doesn’t happen without a new contract. You’re basically looking at a hold-in.
“You’re looking at sitting out all of exhibition season, showing up for the first week of the regular season and working it. That’s not a good spot for the offense. But I will say this: They need to make an example of, ‘We will take care of our own.’ This regime, and Achane is the primary target.”
Dolphins Don’t Appear to Want to Trade De’Von Achane
On April 15, Sullivan was asked about Achane’s availability ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft and shut down any talk of a trade, while also providing an update on ongoing extension discussions.
“He’s not available for trade,” Sullivan said (h/t Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN). “Things are going good — we’ve had some positive conversations over the past couple days, trending in the right direction. He’s obviously very important to what we’re doing … We’ll get to where we need to be, one way or another.”
Although the Dolphins appear keen on keeping Achane, and NBC Sports NFL insider Mike Florio shared his true thoughts on the situation and whether he believes Miami wants to sign the running back to a contract extension.
“He’s not untradable,” Florio said on the April 17 edition of “The Joe Rose Show.” “Only a small handful of guys in the NFL right now would not be traded for any package.
“I think they received all the calls they were going to get, all the offers they were going to entertain, and they know that no one is close enough to get them to say they will part with De’Von Achane.“
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