​One of the NFL teams undergoing a rebuild is the Miami Dolphins. Four years after building around Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle, all three players are no longer in Miami. In their place, the Dolphins boast a new quarterback, a refreshed and deeper wide receiver group, and a new head coach. It could be a challenging season, but there is still reason for optimism in the Sunshine State.
Much of that optimism centers on dynamic running back De’Von Achane. The Dolphins selected Achane in the third round, and he quickly emerged as one of the NFL’s premier rushing threats. If Miami hopes to exceed expectations in 2026, ESPN suggests they should lean heavily on their running back room to drive offense.
“The recently extended De’Von Achane is the centerpiece of Miami’s offense, and it’s not even close,” ESPN noted. “The 2023 third-round pick has produced double-digit touchdowns in each of his three NFL seasons and posted a career-high 1,838 scrimmage yards in 2025. Achane’s prolific receiving numbers are well established—he has finished among the top five backs in targets and receiving yards in each of the past two seasons—but he also made a major leap as a rusher in 2025, ranking fifth in rushing yardage. His 5.62 yards per carry leads all qualified backs since he entered the league.” ESPN also highlighted the depth a deeply talented backfield could provide, pointing to Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II as valuable complements to Achane.
Despite Achane’s immediate impact as a rookie, his elevated production did not prevent the Dolphins from facing a disappointing campaign in 2025, which ultimately led to a protracted reset. Ownership shook up the front office, installed a new head coach, and dismantled a significant portion of the roster. Jeff Hafley now steers one of the league’s most formidable rebuilding challenges, aiming to turn potential into sustained success.
Still, don’t expect the Dolphins to retreat. If anything, the team is likely to follow ESPN’s guidance and lean heavily on Achane as a pillar of the offense. Through his first three NFL seasons, Achane has averaged around 238 offensive touches per year. By comparison, All-Pro star Christian McCaffrey logged roughly 308 touches per season in his first three seasons, highlighting a notable gap of about 70 touches per year—a difference that could translate into an extra workload year after year if Miami sticks with the plan.
Achane and the developing quarterback Malik Willis are also expected to explore more zone-read concepts. Willis, who emerged as a highly coveted passer during the offseason, has always been a formidable athlete with the ball in his hands, and that dual-threat skill set should mesh well with a scheme built to maximize Achane’s versatility and explosiveness.
As the preseason approaches, Dolphins fans will get their first real look at the 2026 version of their team. When September arrives, expect a heavy dose of De’Von Achane, paired with a diversified receiving corps and a reimagined offense under Hafley’s leadership. The blueprint for a successful season may hinge on Achane’s durability, his central role in the offense, and how effectively the Dolphins deploy zone-read concepts to keep defenses off balance. If they can sustain the momentum, Miami could turn the page on a turbulent 2025 and chart a compelling path forward in the AFC.