Dolphins’ De’Von Achane Aims to Win the Rushing Title in 2026 Season

De’Von Achane has set his sights at the rushing leader title.

Dolphins’ De’Von Achane Aims to Win the Rushing Title in 2026 Season

De’Von Achane (Image via IMAGO)

Last season, De’Von Achane teased what every football fan already knew about him, he could become a top running back in the NFL. Then again, Achane won’t be satisfied with just rubbing shoulders with Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, or Bijan Robinson. He aspires to stand at the pinnacle of the food chain.

Speaking with NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe and former NFL WR Steve Smith Sr. from the Dolphins camp, Achane came clean about his goals for the 2026 NFL season.

For me, [I am] trying to get the rushing title. That’s something I want to do this year. I feel like if I got the rushing title, every game we’re doing something good… if I’m being productive and helping my team win, as a whole, we’re going to be great.

De’Von Achane said

The Miami Dolphins drafted Achane 84th overall in 2023. He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies.

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How was De’Von Achane’s 2025 NFL season?

Achane shared the running back duties with veteran Raheem Mostert for the first two years of his NFL career. After Mostert left to play in Vegas, the Dolphins handed the RB1 role to the 24-year-old speedster.

Dolphins' De’Von Achane Aims to Win the Rushing Title in 2026 Season
De’Von Achane (Image via IMAGO)

Achane recorded career highs of 238 rushes for 1350 rushing yards, led the league in yards per carry (5.7), and scored 8 rushing touchdowns while fumbling the ball just once in 16 appearances last season.

Achane rushed for 100+ yards on four different occasions. But his best performance came against AFC East rivals the Buffalo Bills in Week 10. He carried the ball 22 times for 174 yards and scored a couple of touchdowns in a 30-13 victory.

The Dolphins rewarded Achane with a four-year, $64 million contract extension. Per Spotrac, Achane is slated to earn $16 million in 2026. His base salary is $14 million. He is carrying a cap hit of $3.15 million and a dead cap value of $22 million.

De’Von Achane had surgery during the offseason

During the offseason, Achane underwent shoulder surgery. This caused him to miss the Dolphins OTAs and minicamp. Last week, the Dolphins’ new head coach Jeff Hafley cleared Achane for full participation in spring camp.

On the first day of the camp, Hafley further added that Achane has to work extra hard to catch up with the others.

He’s got to build up his reps to get ready to play in a game. Just his first day back. He hasn’t really played football in a while.

Jeff Hafley said via Sun-Sentinel

Achane acknowledged his coaches’ wisdom. He has been hitting the weight room as often as he can to build up strength and doing his best to get a full good night’s sleep.

I’m trying to be in there before stuff starts messing with me, just being able to recover and sleep. And that’s really it, man. Make sure you take care of your body and that’s something that I pride myself in.

Achane said

Achane has made 46 appearances since 2023. In that period, he has accumulated 3057 yards and 22 touchdowns from 544 carries with the ball.

Achane isn’t the only speedster on the Dolphins’ roster. Last year, they drafted former Oklahoma State product Ollie Gordon in the sixth round. In his rookie season, Gordon had 70 carries for 199 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to go with a receiving touchdown.

Gordon will face strong competition from 2024 fourth-round draft pick Jaylen Wright. Wright rushed 70 times last year for 288 yards and scored a couple of touchdowns. The Dolphins also signed undrafted rusher Donovan Edwards, who has had spells with the Jets and the Commanders.

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