The Miami Dolphins have yet to make a long-term commitment to De’Von Achane. Meanwhile, the running back market shifted on May 8 after Breece Hall and the New York Jets agreed to a three-year, $43.5 million contract that could rise to $45.75 million, per ESPN.
Last season with the Dolphins, Achane posted an 89.2 overall PFF grade, recording 238 carries for 1,350 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 5.7 yards per carry and forcing 49 missed tackles as a runner. Moreover, as a receiver, Achane caught 67 passes on 85 targets for 488 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Despite Hall getting a new contract from the Jets, Dolphins columnist for the Sun Sentinel, Chris Perkins, appeared on 104.3 WQAM on May 11 and noted that he doesn’t think Hall’s contract changes anything for Achane in his pursuit of an extension.
“I’m not sure the money means anything,” Perkins said. “I think you were probably going to give De’Von Achane a three-year deal that’s closer to a two-year deal because, as I keep saying, De’Von Achane, at his core, is a 191-pound running back who relies on speed and shiftiness. I don’t know that you’re going to get a six- or seven-year shelf life at the top here.
“If you’re the Dolphins, you’re probably thinking Years 5 and 6 are the peak of what you’re going to see from De’Von Achane, and after that, it probably falls off a bit. History shows that 191-pound, shifty running backs are not going to keep that speed forever. I don’t think the Breece Hall deal is going to get De’Von any more money or any more years. I don’t think it really changes his situation. His situation is his situation.”
New Dolphins Regime Urged to Take Care of De’Von Achane
During the offseason, Achane’s name was in the speculation mill, especially after trading Jaylen Waddle while cutting ties with Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa. Nonetheless, new Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan didn’t budge to keep his running back.
Furthermore, the Miami Herald’s Omar Kelly recently stated that it would be a good look for this new Dolphins regime to take care of their own.
“You’ve got to keep Achane comfortable, confident, and in a leadership role,” Kelly said during an April 21 appearance on “Pro Football Talk Live.“ “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.”
Can Positive Talks Lead to a Contract Extension?
With OTAs and mandatory minicamp on the horizon for the Dolphins, it will be interesting to see if any contract gets done between the team and player, given that Achane won’t risk getting hurt in practice and costing himself money.
Nonetheless, on April 15, Sullivan reiterated during a pre-draft press conference that the club’s preference is to extend Achane’s contract and revealed that talks are going in a positive direction.
“He is not available for trade,” Sullivan said (h/t NFL.com). “Things are going good. We’ve have some positive conversations over the last couple days. Trending in the right direction. He’s obviously very important to what we’re doing.
“It’s all part of it. It’s part of professional sports. We’ll get where we need to be one way or another, but yeah, things are trending in the right direction.”
It will be interesting to see if a deal gets done or if a potential hold is on the horizon for Achane.
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