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2026 NFL Top 100: Breakout RB Makes Massive Leap in Debut on List 1
The 2026 NFL Top 100 list has seen some incredible talents seeing significant jumps on the list. There has been a lot of newcomers on the list, which showcases a lot of young talent in the NFL today. One of the superstars of last year was a breakout player, and he has seen one of the more rare jumps. Let’s take a closer look at who it is and what type of leap he made on the 2026 NFL Top 100 list.
Devon Achane dominates in first appearance on 2026 NFL Top 100 list
2026 NFL Top 1002026 NFL Top 100
Mar 5, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas A&M running back Devon Achane (RB02) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
One of the biggest risers on the 2026 NFL Top 100 list was Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane. He jumped from not being on the list to being ranked 26th for this season’s list. NFL’s Jeremy Bergman wrote the following blurb regarding De’Von Achane and his ability to be a star on the field:
“No player was more efficient on the ground in 2025 than Achane. The Dolphins tailback had a breakout year in his final go-around with Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel, totaling career bests in carries and rushing yards; his 5.7 yards per carry average led the NFL, though it didn’t even hold a candle to Achane’s 7.8 pace from his rookie year.
“After a Pro Bowl nod, the former third-round pick was the recipient of a four-year, $64 million extension, one of Jon-Eric Sullivan’s first big moves as Dolphins GM. How Achane will perform as the focal point of Jeff Hafley and Bobby Slowik’s Miami offense remains to be seen, but after a debut showing on the Top 100, there’s no doubt about the speedster’s place in the NFL.”
Achane took a massive step forward in the 2025 season en route to his first Pro Bowl. He finished the season playing and starting in 16 games and recorded 238 carries for 1,350 yards (5.7 yards per attempt) with eight rushing touchdowns as well as 67 catches on 85 targets for 488 yards (7.3 yards per reception) with four receiving touchdowns as well. With the departure of a lot of familiar faces in Miami and a new coaching staff, he will be the star, especially after signing a four-year, $64 million extension in May.
Below are the running backs who have been named on the 2026 NFL Top 100 list thus far:
96: Travis Etienne
89: Kyren Williams
74: Josh Jacobs
34: Saquon Barkley
26: De’Von Achane
The 2026 NFL Top 100 list is comprised of the top-tier players in the league as voted on by the players during the previous season. Two names are revealed each weekday on social media until we approach the top 10 players remaining. Once we reach that point, only one name will be published on social media until the entire 2026 NFL Top 100 list is announced on Friday, Sept. 4. It will be intriguing to see how Achane looks with a depleted Miami Dolphins roster in 2026.