The Miami Dolphins spent the better part of this week telling teams that Pro Bowl running back De’Von Achane was not available. That stance may now be changing. Industry insiders expect the 24-year-old to be traded within 72 hours, with the Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys emerging as the frontrunners, according to NFL Drop.
Achane, a 2023 third-round pick out of Texas A&M, has developed into one of the most versatile backs in the league. He led the NFL last season with a 5.7 yards-per-carry average, finishing with 1,350 rushing yards, 67 catches for 488 yards, and 12 touchdowns. His first career Pro Bowl followed.
Miami, already deep in a roster teardown, is holding out for a significant return. Per the same report, the Dolphins are eyeing “high-level” draft picks before making any deal.
How the Cowboys’ Backfield Picture Created Room for Another Move
Dallas enters this offseason with its lead back squared away. In February, the Cowboys locked up running back Javonte Williams, who carried the ball 252 times for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025, on a three-year, $24 million extension.
Miami Dolphins, De’Von Achane, NFL
Feb 2, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) carries the ball during AFC practice at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South Building. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
What they no longer have is a reliable pass-catching back. Rico Dowdle, who spent the 2024 season in Dallas before moving to Carolina, signed a two-year, $12.25 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in March. That departure leaves a clear gap behind Williams in passing situations.
REPORT: Insiders expect Dolphins RB Devon Achane to be traded within the next 72 hours.
The Dolphins continue to eye “high-level” draft picks while the front-runners for Achane are the Seahawks and the Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/5OKgiptgl6
— NFL Drop (@TheNFLDrop) March 20, 2026
Achane, who caught 67 passes last season, fills exactly that mold. He is not a like-for-like replacement for Williams. He is a different kind of weapon entirely, one built for speed and space.
The Cowboys finished second in total offensive yards per game in 2025 at 391.9. Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and now a franchise-tagged George Pickens are the headliners. Adding Achane alongside Williams would give offensive coordinator Klayton Adams a backfield that defenses could not simply load the box against.
Dolphins’ Shifting Position Makes a Late-March Deal Possible
De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) scores a touchdown after running past New York Jets cornerback Brandin Echols (26) and New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood (44) in the fourth quarter, Sunday January 5, 2025, in East Rutherford.
Just two days ago, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that teams inquiring about Achane were told directly he was not available. That reporting reflected the Dolphins’ desire to build their new-look offense around him and quarterback Malik Willis, who signed a three-year, $67.5 million deal in March.
But Miami’s financial situation complicates the plan. The Dolphins are currently ranked 32nd in available cap space, sitting $8.2 million over the threshold. That reality, combined with the need to pay Achane on a new deal after this season, makes trading him now for high draft picks a sensible path.
Spotrac projects Achane’s market value at a three-year, $36.7 million extension, an AAV that would likely rise given what the running back market has done this offseason. Kenneth Walker III set the ceiling at $45 million over three years with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The question is whether Dallas will be willing to part with the kind of picks Miami wants. The Cowboys did not have a second-round pick heading into this offseason and have already spent a 2027 fourth-rounder to acquire edge rusher Rashan Gary from Green Bay.
Their draft capital is not unlimited. Still, the fit is hard to ignore. If Miami’s price comes down to a realistic range, Dallas has the offensive infrastructure to make immediate use of a player like Achane.