Top Landing Spots for De'Von Achane if Dolphins Trade Star RB

Some may believe Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan shut down trade speculation around De'Von Achane when he told reporters the running back isn't available.

Yet we heard a similar sentiment about Jaylen Waddle, who was traded to the Denver Broncos.

Publicly, clubs share intended plans for players, but sometimes, the front office receives an offer it can't refuse. Denver offered first-, third-, and fourth-round picks for Waddle, and Miami accepted the draft capital in a rebuild.

The Dolphins aren't likely to get a first-rounder for Achane, but they could get a package of picks and a player in return for the Pro Bowl ball-carrier.

So yes, the Dolphins would like Achane to be one of their roster cornerstones, but amidst a roster overhaul, Sullivan could change his mind, especially if he receives a strong proposal.

Here are five teams that could make an aggressive offer to pry Achane away from Miami.

Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian

Omarion Hampton

This offseason, the Los Angeles Chargers hired Mike McDaniel to fill their offensive coordinator vacancy. As the play-calling head coach of the Miami Dolphins, he coached and designed plays for De'Von Achane over the last three seasons.

In 2025, Achane led the league with 5.7 yards per carry and racked up 1,838 scrimmage yards. McDaniel knows how to get the most out of him and can continue to do so in Los Angeles.

The Chargers would have a blend of speed and power with Achane and Omarion Hampton in the backfield. They would be in the conversation as one of the NFL's best running back duos.

Los Angeles could send wide receiver Quentin Johnston, along with a second-rounder and an early Day 3 pick, to Miami for Achane. Johnston is entering the final term of his rookie deal, unless the Chargers exercise the fifth-year option.

With second-year wideout Tre' Harris on the Chargers roster, Johnston, who finished with 51 catches for 735 yards and eight touchdowns last year, could be expendable, though he can blossom into a go-to target with the receiver-needy Dolphins.

New York Giants

AP Photo/Rusty Jones

Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Draft analysts and NFL insiders have linked the New York Giants to top running back prospect Jeremiyah Love. If the Notre Dame prospect isn't on the board for Big Blue at No. 5, the front office can pivot to an alternative option for a three-down tailback.

The Giants have running backs Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr., but De'Von Achane would be an immediate upgrade over them. New York can offer the latter in a trade to pair Skattebo's rugged run style with Achane's explosive playmaking ability, forming a tantalizing one-two combination out of the backfield.

Last year, the Giants had concerns about quarterback Jaxson Dart's tendency to take unnecessary hits as a ball-carrier. With a healthy Malik Nabers and the addition of pass-catching tight end Isaiah Likely, he'll have a strong supporting cast of targets. Still, the coaching staff can limit his designed run opportunities with an effective ground game.

Achane and Skattebo can lead a potent rushing attack, while Dart finds his groove as a passer from the pocket.

In order to execute the trade and sign Achane to an extension, the Giants can unload defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II in a deal. Keep in mind that the team only has $6.5 million in cap space.

According to SNY's Connor Hughes, Lawrence's command for a new contract might be $30-$35 million annually. New York can get out of a contractual standoff with him and sign Achane to an extension about half that price.

Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Zach Charbonnet

One week away from the 2026 NFL draft, the Seattle Seahawks' biggest need is at running back. They lost Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency, and Zach Charbonnet is recovering from a torn ACL.

Seattle signed Emanuel Wilson, who was the Green Bay Packers' No. 2 running back behind Josh Jacobs over the last two seasons. 

The Seahawks only have four 2026 draft picks, though they still have three top-100 selections. Considering the club's $32.9 million in cap space, it has the resources to acquire De'Von Achane and sign him to a lucrative extension.

Achane can match Walker's production on the ground and bring more to the passing game.  

In four seasons, Walker has caught 133 passes for 1,005 yards and two touchdowns. Achane hauled in 145 passes for 1,080 yards and 10 touchdowns over the last two years.

With Achane in the backfield, Seattle wouldn't need to rush Charbonnet back to action. Sharing the field together, they could lead a top-five rushing attack.

Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/George Walker IV

Tony Pollard

NFL draft analysts have slotted Jeremiyah Love to the Tennessee Titans in the No. 4 spot, which is a logical match given they need to add offensive playmakers around second-year quarterback Cam Ward.

However, the Titans may prefer to add a prospect at a higher premium position: wide receiver or edge-rusher. 

If that's the case, Tennessee can draft a wideout or pass-rusher and still acquire a game-changing running back to lead its ground attack by making a call to the Miami Dolphins for De'Von Achane.

In a potential trade, the Titans could package running back Tony Pollard with a second-rounder, an early Day 3 pick and an early-round 2027 pick. Pollard has eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in four consecutive seasons, but he'll soon turn 29 in a contract year.

The Dolphins would receive a lead running back and multiple picks, while the Titans attempt to jump-start their offense with Achane's speed in Year 2 with Ward under center.

As the predecessor to New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, Robert Saleh knows how difficult it is to slow down Achane on the ground and cover him in the passing game.

Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

At No. 7 in the draft order, the Washington Commanders may not have a chance to take Jeremiyah Love, with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants ahead of them and rumored to be interested in the blue-chip running back.

Rather than wait for the top of the draft to play out in Round 1, Washington can make a move for a proven running back to bolster its ground attack.

With new offensive coordinator David Blough taking over for Kliff Kingsbury, the Commanders may want a complete three-down tailback to lead their backfield.

As a rookie last season, running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt ran for 805 yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries, but he didn't see much action in the passing game, recording just nine catches for 68 yards. 

Washington signed Rachaad White, but he's seen a drop-off in his rushing yard totals every year since 2023 and averages an unimpressive 3.9 yards per carry.

The Commanders have the second-most cap space across the league. If they acquire De'Von Achane, the front office could use some of the team's $49.6 million in cap space to make him one of the highest-paid running backs and the focal point of a revamped offense for years to come. 

Washington doesn't have its second-round pick this year. So, it may have to offer a starting-caliber player like defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne, along with multiple picks, to get a deal done with the Miami Dolphins.

Team salary cap and player contract details are provided by Over the Cap.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.