David Montgomery, Houston Texans
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David Montgomery runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Houston Texans entered the offseason with a clear intention of upgrading their running back room.
They certainly did that by trading for Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery. He’s an upgrade over the Woody Marks–Nick Chubb backfield they ran with in 2025.
Montgomery figures to get the bulk of the touches in Houston’s backfield in 2026, but the former third-round pick was at his best in Detroit when he and Jahmyr Gibbs were splitting the load.
The duo was affectionately referred to as “Sonic and Knuckles,” and for good reason. Gibbs brought the lightning with incredible speed and agility, while Montgomery brought the boom with hard-nosed running.
Could the Texans implement a similar two-pronged rushing attack of their own?
Dolphins RB De’Von Achane Tabbed as Texans Target
Before the Houston Texans acquired Montgomery, Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane was named as a potential trade target this offseason by the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander.
“Houston general manager Nick Caserio said drafting a running back or trading for one are also options. A potential trade could include Miami Dolphins running back DeVon Achane. The Texans made a similar move two years ago,” wrote Alexander.
The similar move Alexander refers to is the trade Houston made with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024, when they acquired Joe Mixon for a seventh-round pick.
The former Bengals star was entering the final year of his contract, and Cincinnati was not interested in giving him a new deal. Houston stepped in, inking Mixon to a three-year, $25.5 million pact.
Achane is facing a similar situation this offseason, the only difference being that the Texas A&M product is younger and certainly a more valuable commodity.
While the Texans already made an upgrade at the running back position this offseason, they only gave up two Day 3 picks and guard Juice Scruggs for Montgomery, and should be willing to send one of their two second-round picks to Miami to facilitate the trade.
Montgomery is 28 and won’t be able to produce at an elite level forever. The 24-year-old Achane wouldn’t just give the Texans a boost in the short term, but would be their long-term answer at the position.
Regardless, a Montgomery-Achane pairing would immediately become one of the best running back duos in the league and give Houston a “Sonic and Knuckles” of its own.
Would the Dolphins Trade De’Von Achane?
Hypothetical trade ideas are fun and all, but they only make sense if both teams are willing to do the deal. The Houston Texans should be all over Achane, but would the Miami Dolphins be willing to make the deal?
According to new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques reported that Miami plans to “listen to offers” for both Achane and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, but the plan is for both to stay in Miami.
Marcel Louis-Jacques
The Dolphins see De’Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle as important parts of their franchise
They’ll listen to offers for both players (as they would for any player) but the plan is for Achane and Waddle to remain in Miami, per Jon-Eric Sullivan
Miami not actively shopping either
But the fact is, Achane is due a new contract, and the Dolphins may not be in a position to give it to him. Over the Cap currently has Miami at $3.2 million in cap space.
The Dolphins can’t afford to be active in free agency, meaning most of their roster building is going to come from the 2026 NFL Draft.
Getting an extra second-round pick from the Texans in a potential Achane trade could be incredibly valuable in year one of the Dolphins’ new regime.