Despite signing quarterback Malik Willis to a lucrative multi-year contract at the start of free agency, the Miami Dolphins appear set to tear it all down ahead of the 2026 season. Veteran wide receiver Tyreek Hill has been cut, along with star linebacker Bradley Chubb, and now Hill’s heir apparent, Jaylen Waddle, has been traded to the Denver Broncos.
With that in mind, it’s fair to wonder what will become of running back De’Von Achane, despite the Dolphins’ recent suggestion that they’d like to build around him. The team has admitted that they’ve received multiple calls for the speedster, and here are six teams that should be looking to make a move.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears performed outstandingly on the ground in 2025, mostly thanks to their offensive line, 60% of which was made up of new signings, including left guard, right guard, and center. That transformation continued recently, with the team sending a 2027 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots for Garrett Bradbury after the retirement of star center Drew Dalman.
Ben Johnson appears to have his power back in 2025 seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai, and veteran D’Andre Swift was also a key contributor in Johnson’s first season. Swift is a free agent in 2027, though, and the Bears could save almost $7 million in cap space with a post-June 1 cut.
Swift hasn’t done anything wrong, but he was a player Johnson inherited when he took over in Chicago, and the opportunity to add Achane could be too good to pass on.
Seattle Seahawks
Sometimes projecting where a player will end up is a simple numbers game, and it’s as straightforward as finding square holes for square pegs. In reality, it’s obviously much more complicated than that, but it needn’t be for the Seattle Seahawks here.
Sources: Teams that have called the Miami Dolphins to inquire about trading for Pro-Bowl RB De’Von Achane have been told that he is not available. pic.twitter.com/pP77NaG6a3
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2026
Having lost Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency, the reigning champions have a vacancy in the explosive running back department. Seattle just signed Emanuel Wilson to cover any potential missed time for Zach Charbonnet next season, but has plenty of cap space to secure Achane on a long-term deal.
Achane is such a fun player to watch that it would be easy to view him as a luxury signing, but for the Seahawks, he would be a sensible addition in an area they need to address.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars took a huge step forward under Liam Coen in Year 1, and looked set for an extended run as a Super Bowl contender. Coen’s ability to invigorate a run game immediately carried over from his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, resulting in Travis Etienne earning a payday earlier in March.
With Etienne gone, eyes have turned to second-year back Bhayshul Tuten, who impressed in a limited role in 2025. The 2025 fourth-round pick certainly has the explosiveness to make plays, but he’s unproven as a full-time NFL starter.
Tuten could keep a role as the bigger back in the Jaguars rotation, but Achane would be an immediate upgrade on Etienne, while helping to open things up downfield.
Tennessee Titans
If it’s a full-time role Achane is hoping for, the Tennessee Titans might be the best possible landing spot. Both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears are free agents in 2027, and the Titans could save almost $11 million in cap space by releasing both a year early.
A new head coach (Robert Saleh) and offensive coordinator (Brian Daboll) also make Tennessee one of the most likely teams to switch things up. By adding Achane, the Titans would give Cam Ward an elite playmaker and freshen up a run game that has been stale since Derrick Henry’s departure in 2024.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers already have a top running back in Josh Jacobs, but while Jacobs is one of the most reliable backs in the league, the Packers could use more explosiveness. Too often, Green Bay found itself in third-and-long situations in 2025, and almost every point felt hard-earned at the end of long, drawn-out drives.
With Jayden Reed healthy and first-round receiver Matthew Golden more embedded in the offense, Packers fans will hope that can change moving forward. But only six teams averaged fewer yards per carry than Green Bay’s 4.1 last season, and Jacobs himself averaged only 4.0.
Jacobs was banged up in 2025 and has made no secret of the fact that he moved to Green Bay to win a Super Bowl, so sharing time shouldn’t be an issue if it helps the team. A Jacobs/Achane committee would be a nightmare for fantasy owners, but the Dolphins star has been crying out for a goal-line back to partner with, and the Packers have one.
Carolina Panthers
Finally, the Carolina Panthers make the list as another team looking to build on a promising 2025 season. The reigning NFC South champions have again been aggressive in free agency, adding to their struggling – but improving – defense.
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More help is required on the other side of the ball, though, and Tetairoa McMillan currently stands out as the only true star on Carolina’s offense. Bryce Young has continued to flash his potential, but still needs to add consistency to his game if he is to make good on the first overall pick the team spent on him in 2023.
Handing Young a true pass-catching back would help with that consistency and ease some of the pressure on the quarterback, who has struggled for targets at times in Carolina.
