Following a stagnant season opener against the Raiders, Miami’s offense must unleash its remaining star playmaker to ignite a young roster and reclaim its explosive identity.
For the Dolphins, Week 1 exposed just how important De’Von Achane could be to their chances of turning the season around.
Miami opened the 2026 season with a 27-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, and Achane was unable to provide the type of explosive performance the Dolphins need from their biggest offensive weapon.
The former Texas A&M star finished with just 36 rushing yards on 11 carries, averaging 3.3 yards per attempt. He added four receptions for 30 yards, giving him 66 total yards without finding the end zone.
That performance was particularly disappointing considering the role Achane is expected to play for a Miami team that underwent major changes during the offseason.
The Dolphins moved on from several of their biggest offensive names, including Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, leaving Achane as one of the few established playmakers remaining on the roster. He entered the season with expectations of being a centerpiece of the offense, and Miami's Week 1 struggles showed what can happen when he is unable to make an impact.
To be fair, Achane did not have many opportunities to create the explosive plays that have become a trademark of his game. Miami's offensive line struggled to consistently open running lanes, and the Raiders frequently put the Dolphins in difficult situations. Achane's longest run was only 10 yards.
Still, Miami cannot afford for that to become a trend.
The Dolphins' offense managed only 13 points in the opener, converted just two of 10 third downs and scored a touchdown on only one of three red-zone trips. With a young roster and a new coaching staff, Miami needs its established stars to provide consistency while the rest of the team develops.
Achane has the ability to change a game with one touch. His speed and versatility make him dangerous as both a runner and receiver, which is especially important for an offense that may need to manufacture explosive plays rather than simply relying on a dominant passing attack.
Miami will have an opportunity to respond in Week 2, but Achane needs to be a much bigger part of the answer.
The Dolphins' official postgame assessment acknowledged there were plenty of inconsistencies to correct following the loss. If Miami is going to start stacking wins, getting Achane back to being the dynamic playmaker Texas A&M fans remember could be one of the most important pieces of the puzzle.
