Running Back · Miami Dolphins
De’Von Achane — 2026 Fantasy Outlook
Analysis by Shawn Childs, from his 2026 guide — his words, unedited.
The case
- · Over his first 44 games in the NFL, Achane averaged 18.53 PPR fantasy points per game and 1.14 fantasy points per touch.
- · He comes off career highs in touches (295), rushing yards (1,350), and touchdowns (12).
- · His floor in the passing games over the past two seasons (78/592/6 and 67/488/4) helped his consistency factor.
- · Achane led running backs in fantasy points between 15.00 and 19.90 (nine games), but scored higher than 22.00 fantasy points only twice (26.20 and 31.00).
- · Added T Kadyn Proctor in the 2026 NFL Draft (12th overall pick)
Question marks
- · Miami signed a running quarterback, suggesting a decline in passing attempts and some sniped rushing touchdowns.
- · The Dolphins brought in a defensive-minded head coach, but promoted their Bobby Slowik from pass game coordinator to offensive coordinator.
- · Miami’s running backs gained 5.4 yards per carry last season, but only 4.00 in 2024.
Shawn's conclusion
Achane is the only difference-maker offensive player in the Dolphins’ offense. Miami has below-league-average receiving talent at wide receiver and tight ends, which will allow defenses to press the line of scrimmage in run support. Last summer, Achane battled a calf issue in August, but he didn’t miss a game.
More on Achane
Last August, there were some concerns about the health of Achane due to a lingering calf issue. The only injury that cost him any time came in Week 18 (shoulder). Over his 16 starts, he gained 1,838 combined yards with 12 touchdowns and 67 catches on 295 touches. Despite finishing fifth in fantasy points (322.80) in PPR formats, Achane was more consistent than explosive.
He scored between 12.50 and 19.50 fantasy points in 11 of his games, while delivering an elite showing in Week 10 (225 combined yards with two touchdowns and six catches on 28 touches). His other top three fantasy days (31.00, 26.20, and 21.50) also came at home. Achane averaged 16.90 fantasy points on the road, compared to 22.72 at home.
Achane profiles as a foundation RB1 whose ceiling hinges on the scoring ability of Miami and how many leftover rushing touchdowns end up on his stat sheet. He is undersized (5’9” and 190 lbs.) with 486 touches on his resume over the past two years, suggesting that 2026 may not go as smoothly. There’s a lot to like, and I can never predict if or when a player will get hurt. Let’s go with 1,500 combined yards with 10 touchdowns and 75 catches over a 17-game season.
Update 6/42026: Miami signed Achane to a four-year extension for $68 million in mid-May. Sometime this spring, he had minor shoulder surgery, which will limit his practice in June.
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