There are many new faces on the Miami Dolphins' roster following an organizational overhaul.
But one familiar face was named among the NFL's best young players.
De'Von Achane, who recently signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension, landed at No. 21 on CBS Sports' list of the 25 best players age 25 and under entering the 2026 season.
“Despite tearing the organization down to the studs around him, the Dolphins were steadfast in keeping De'Von Achane this offseason, and it's hard to blame them,” Tyler Sullivan wrote.
“The Miami back is one of the league's most electrifying players and will now be the centerpiece of the offense in 2026. That comes after a career year in which Achane rushed for a personal-best 1,350 yards, the most by a Dolphins player since Ricky Williams in 2003. His career average of 5.62 yards per carry ranks second in NFL history among running backs with at least 500 rushing attempts.”
Is Achane the top young RB in the NFL?
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Achane is the third-highest-ranked running back on the list, behind the Atlanta Falcons' Bijan Robinson and the Detroit Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs. He is coming off the best season of his career, rushing for 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns. He also led the Dolphins with 67 receptions and added four receiving touchdowns. His 89.2 PFF grade in 2025 was the highest among RBs.
Achane is undoubtedly one of the NFL's top running backs, but ranking him 21st on a list of the league's 25 best players under 25 is crazy. Last season, he rushed for more yards than both Robinson and Gibbs. He also accomplished that with fewer carries while remaining a major contributor in the passing game.
The Dolphins haven't received much respect this offseason, and for good reason. They are coming off an underwhelming 7-10 season that led to the departures of general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel.
Under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley, the Dolphins are expected to place a greater emphasis on the running game amid all the uncertainty on offense. Outside of Achane, Miami lacks proven playmakers at the skill positions.
As he enters his fourth NFL season, Achane could be poised for an even bigger breakout. The Dolphins' success in 2026 may ultimately hinge on Achane and the effectiveness of the ground game.
