De'Von Achane has quickly become one of the most electric playmakers in the NFL, and despite a major offensive shakeup in Miami, the 24-year-old running back remains the heartbeat of the Dolphins' attack. With Jaylen Waddle now in Denver, Achane's role as the centerpiece is more critical than ever—but for how long?

According to ESPN insider Dan Graziano, Miami’s commitment to Achane could be tested if a team comes calling with a first-round pick. While that might make the Dolphins pause, Graziano notes the smart money is on Miami extending their star back during the 2026 offseason rather than moving him. After all, running backs of Achane's caliber rarely get traded for premium draft capital, especially when a big payday is looming.

Achane is entering the final year of his rookie contract, putting Miami at a crossroads. Without an extension or franchise tag, he could walk in free agency—a devastating loss for a team that just saw its receiving corps thin out. Over the last two seasons, Achane has rushed for 2,257 yards while proving he's just as dangerous through the air, hauling in 67 catches for 488 yards and four touchdowns in the 2025-26 season alone.

With Waddle gone, Achane's role in the passing game is only set to expand. He's already logged 85-plus targets in each of the last two years, a workload few backs can sustain while also handling bell-cow duties. Whether Miami locks him up long-term or tests the trade market, one thing is clear: in a league where dynamic dual-threat backs are rare, Achane is the kind of talent teams build around—not trade away.