Miami Dolphins can extend De'Von Achane with contract like this

MIAMI GARDENS ― As good as Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane has been in his first three seasons, it seems league-wide stardom has not yet arrived.

Yet. It's coming.

"After his rookie year, I think you could’ve seen that start to rise for him," Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa says. "A rising star in this league."

No Dolphin ― no Dolphin ― reached 30 touchdowns faster than Achane.

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"Anytime I feel like I get the ball, I can change the game," Achane says.

Achane, 24, was an outstanding third-round draft pick by former Dolphins general manager Chris Grier .

But because Achane was a third-round pick, Miami does not hold a fifth-year rookie option. Without a new deal, the Dolphins would have to franchise tag him after the 2026 season in order to hold his rights for 2027.

The value of running backs is highly controversial.

Consider how the New York Giants once let Saquon Barkley walk.

But Achane is one of the most unique players in the league.

"I think he’s been one of the more consistent ones for us offensively in terms of the production he gives us and things that he can do, not just at the running back position, but at the slot or at a receiver position as well," Tua says.

Achane's performance in Miami's upset of Buffalo was staggering.

• 174 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

• 51 receiving yards.

• 195 yards after contact, according to Next Gen Stats.

• Career-high 11 missed tackles, according to Next Gen Stats.

Achane is a running back and a receiver.

Achane is blazing fast and surpisingly tough.

Achane's price just went up.

Achane's agent, Leah Knight of Roc Nation Sports , knows how valuable Achane is to the Dolphins. And the Dolphins surely know he'll want a strong deal.

But Achane also loves Miami and expressed he was glad not to be moved at the recent NFL trade deadline. The Dolphins took calls from NFL teams who wanted to trade for Achane, but extending him as a part of their rebuild makes more sense.

Barkley and Christian McCaffrey were extended two years at astronomical figures: $20.6 and $19 million a season. They're outliers.

What De'Von Achane extension might look like for Dolphins

Alvin Kamara and James Cook are excellent runners and receivers who serve as reasonable comparisons for Achane.

Kamara, 29, was extended two years at $12.5 million per season.

Cook, 25, was extended four years at $11.5 million per season.

Josh Jacobs , 26, has been extended four years at $12 million per season.

It stands to reason that the Dolphins would want to extend Achane at around 4 years, $11.5 million per season and his agency may want to go a bit over $12.5 million annually.

How about 4 years, $49.28 million?

(Achane wears #28).

Achane leads the NFL among running backs with 5.5 yards per rush and with 13 receiving touchdowns since he entered the league in 2023.

Achane is the only NFL player this year with 700-plus rushing yards paired with 300-plus yards receiving.

Achane is made for the Dolphins.

And the Dolphins need Achane, their best player, and clear 2025 MVP.

There is this small issue of the Dolphins lacking a permanent general manager at the moment. But bridging any gap to an extension before next season should make the most sense for the next in charge.

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Joe Schad is a journalist covering the  Miami Dolphins  and the NFL at  The Palm Beach Post . You can reach him at  jschad@pbpost.com  and follow him on  Instagram  and on X  @schadjoe . Sign up for Joe's free weekly  Dolphins Pulse Newsletter . Help support our work  by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins' best player, could receive new contract