The Miami Dolphins kicked off their offseason workout program on April 7, but De’Von Achane wasn’t there. With Achane now eligible for a contract extension, it seems he’s looking for clarity on whether the team views him as part of its rebuilding plans.
Over the offseason, Miami have cut ties with Tyreek Hill and traded Jaylen Waddle, so their offensive weapons have been depleted. While they can draft players to fill Waddle’s and Hill’s roles, Achane is a proven commodity.
Moreover, Achane is a running back, and their shelf life in the NFL isn’t very long, so it’s no surprise that the player is looking to get paid now that he’s eligible for a contract extension.
With Achane’s future with the Dolphins uncertain, at least for now, WQAM’s Channing Crowder gave a blunt take regarding the running back’s situation and whether he’ll be staying in Miami.
“[Achane] will not touch the field in Miami Gardens until he has more money in his bank account,” Crowder said in an April 8 video from WQAM. “This is his hit. This is the time he has to hit somebody in the head. He’s a poker player. [Achane can] go out there at OTAs and tear [his] knee up.
“Now y’all take [his] money down to $5 million a year, and not $20 million a year? No, he’s not coming without a contract. I’ve been saying that the entire offseason.”
Dolphins Get Insider Update on De’Von Achane
Last season with the Dolphins, Achane earned an overall PFF grade of 89.2, ranking first among 55 qualified running backs. His 91.0 rushing grade also led the group.
Furthermore, he carried the ball 238 times for 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards per attempt. Achane forced 49 missed tackles and averaged 4.1 yards after contact per carry, showing his effectiveness between the tackles. As a receiver, he caught 67 of 85 targets for 488 yards and four touchdowns.
Amid the speculation, NBC Sports NFL insider Mike Florio shared an update on the situation and gave his honest thoughts on the Dolphins, saying that Achane isn’t available.
“I think when the team says he’s not available, what they mean is they’re not going to trade him for any of the offers they’ve received,” Florio said during a March 27 appearance on 104.3 WQAM.
“This is the time of year when offers circulate for many players who ultimately aren’t traded. General managers talk constantly, so they’ve surely seen offers for De’Von Achane, but none have been strong enough. Based on what they’ve received so far, they’re not making a move.”
De’Von Achane Trade Would Be a Complicated One
Furthermore, Florio notes that a move is complicated by the financial situation that would result if a team does make a move for the Dolphins’ star.
“The team has since guaranteed most of his salary for this year and already paid a large portion as a signing bonus to create cap space,” Florio added.
“That makes a trade more complicated because any team acquiring him now would only take on his minimum salary on the books, but would not assume the money Miami has already paid. In the end, the player holds the leverage.”
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