De’Von Achane is embracing a larger role as the Miami Dolphins look to lean on their dynamic running back both on the field and in the locker room.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane is entering the 2026 season with a greater level of responsibility.
After the Dolphins moved on from wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, as well as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this offseason, the focal point of Miami’s offense now starts with Achane.
The Dolphins have made it clear that Achane is not simply another piece of their offense but one of the players they intend to build around, both on the field and in the locker room.
After signing a four-year, $64 million extension this offseason, Achane has embraced the expectations that come with becoming one of the faces of the franchise.
"It comes with the role and I feel like I'm ready for it. It's kind of something that you live for, you know, when the team going to you and I feel like I'm able to do it," Achane said on Monday.
Achane is coming off a breakout 2025 season in which he rushed for 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns on 238 carries while averaging a league-best 5.7 yards per attempt.
Achane added 67 receptions for 488 yards and four touchdowns, giving Miami one of the league’s most dangerous weapons from the backfield.
Head coach Jeff Hafley didn’t hesitate when asked about Achane’s leadership role as the two work together for the first time.
"I think Achane is a dynamic player. I think he's one of the best at his position in the game, whether it's in the backfield or catching the ball from the backfield, lining up as a wide receiver, wherever we put him, so I'm excited about that," Hafley said.
Miami traded Waddle to the Denver Broncos during the offseason, leaving Achane as an even more important part of an offense that could rely heavily on the running game.
The team also has questions behind him at running back, with Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon II and others competing for opportunities.
Hafley has emphasized the importance of developing leaders on his young roster, and Achane is already emerging as one of them.
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan previously identified Achane, center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks as foundational pieces for the new-look Dolphins.
Hafley has also made it clear that he wants to maximize Achane's impact.
While his recent comments on The Rich Eisen Show about the running back potentially receiving 40 or more touches in a game were clearly delivered with some humor, they highlighted just how much confidence Hafley has in its star back.
Hafley very well could give 40 to 45 touches to Achane, assuming the back can deliver when he touches the ball. Having a well-established run game is hard for most defenses to deal with, and Achane has proven he has the kind of run ability to shoulder moving the ball for the offense.
The Dolphins are entering a new era, and Achane will be at the center of it.
The speed remains his biggest weapon, but Miami needs him to provide something just as valuable: consistency, leadership, and production every week.
