Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane lands just outside the top 25 in the NFL's Top 100 list ahead of the 2026 season.
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane lands just outside the top 25 in the NFL's Top 100 list ahead of the 2026 season.
Achane comes in at No. 26 overall on the list, just missing out on being named a top 25 player by his peers.
Last season, Achane was not ranked.
The 24-year-old is coming off a big season in 2025. Last fall, Achane carried the ball 238 times and made 67 receptions for a career-high 305 touches.
The 2025 season was his third with the Dolphins
Achane is set to enter only his fourth season in the league and has established himself as one of the premier backs in a short time.
The Dolphins rewarded the star back this offseason with a massive four-year, $64 million extension due to his performances thus far.
General manager Jon Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley were vocal about wanting to get a deal done for Achane, consistently saying that he is one of the pillars of the franchise.
The expectations for Achane this season are that he will only grow into a complete back in an offense in which he could be the focal point for the first time in his career.
Hafley mentioned on a recent appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show" that he expects Achane to touch the ball 40 to 45 times. If that is certainly the case this season, the 24-year-old will shatter his own record of 305 touches last season.
Achane has made a name for himself in his three-year career. The Dolphins drafted Achane in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Miami drafted him with the No. 84 overall pick out of Texas A&M, and he quickly became a fan favorite in his rookie season.
Achane is just getting started in his NFL career. Despite an underwhelming season from the Dolphins as a whole in 2025, he was named a Pro Bowler. Achane recorded career highs with 1,350 rushing yards in 238 rushing attempts, 84.4 rushing yards per game, and also tallied 488 receiving yards.
The Dolphins' running back is the only proven and constant on the offensive side of the ball as things stand. Outside of that, there’s a ton of new and unproven players.
Malik Willis is set to be the starting quarterback, but has only tallied six career starts in four years. The Dolphins' offensive line is projected to be a strong unit.
The wide receiver room remains the biggest question mark on offense. There is plenty of talent, but several of the Dolphins' pass catchers have yet to establish themselves as reliable options.
Achane will be one of the players under the most scrutiny in 2026, as the Dolphins look to defy expectations. Miami currently has the NFL's second-lowest projected win total at 4.5, according to FOX Sports.
