Insiders say the Achane chatter will intensify once the draft begins, and the two remaining draft days could determine his fate with the Dolphins. Omar Kelly, appearing on Pro Football Talk Live, argued that if Achane isn’t dealt by the end of day two, Miami’s leverage will swing back in their favor. Kelly suggested the team could keep him on the final year of his rookie contract and then use a franchise tag, a plan he estimated could cost about $20 million over two seasons.
Kelly stressed that if no team offers a first-round pick, a deal for Achane may not be forthcoming, noting that options beyond him are limited. He pointed to the evolving running-back market, where contracts are trending higher, and suggested that any trade would hinge on whether a first-round offer materializes. In that scenario, Achane could remain a Dolphin heading into the season.
The Dolphins have publicly indicated they aren’t actively pursuing a Achane trade. General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan stated on April 15 that Achane isn’t available for a deal and that extension discussions have been productive, with the goal of keeping him central to the offense. Analysts, including Mike Florio, have cautioned that while Achane isn’t categorically untradeable, only a rare handful of players would be deemed truly untouchable in the current market.
As the draft unfolds, the decisions surrounding Achane could define how the Dolphins move forward under the new regime. Sullivan’s stance and any credible offers will influence whether Miami keeps Achane as a core piece or opts to adjust its backfield with draft capital, shaping the team’s offense for the near term and beyond.
