MIAMI GARDENS, FL — The Miami Dolphins have officially dismantled the “Greatest Show on Surf.” On Tuesday, the front office sent star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Denver Broncos. In return, Miami receives a haul of draft capital: Denver’s first-round pick (No. 30 overall), along with a third-round (No. 94) and fourth-round (No. 130) selection. The move signals a total white-flag logic for a roster that, just two years ago, was the most expensive in the AFC East.
While the Dolphins are auctioning off veteran assets like a high-end estate sale, one name remains strictly off-limits: De’Von Achane. Despite a flurry of calls from RB-hungry teams like the Texans and Bears, General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has slammed the door on any potential deal. ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed Wednesday that teams inquiring about the Pro Bowler were told he is “not available.”
Achane is coming off a monstrous 2025 season where he carried the load for an inconsistent offense. He racked up 1,350 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 238 carries, proving he could handle a heavy workload without losing his signature explosive gear. With Tyreek Hill released and Waddle now in Mile High, Achane stands as the lone elite playmaker left for new head coach Jeff Hafley.
“There are a few players we view as building blocks for this team moving forward. Achane is one of them. He’s a marvelous player… we want him to be part of this thing moving forward.”
— Jon-Eric Sullivan, Dolphins General Manager
The Dolphins are operating in a financial scorched-earth scenario. By releasing Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill earlier this month, the team is swallowing a record-shattering $175 million in dead money for the 2026 season. The locker room feels hollow. The flashy speed of the Mike McDaniel era has been replaced by a “draft and develop” philosophy that values rookie contracts and draft picks over star power.
Moving Waddle was the final piece of the purge. Denver, led by Sean Payton, is betting that Waddle can be the vertical threat Bo Nix needs to win the AFC West. For Miami, the focus shifts to April’s draft. With multiple first-round picks now in his pocket, Sullivan is expected to look for a long-term solution at quarterback to compete with Malik Willis and 2025 rookie Quinn Ewers.
Expect an extension for Achane this summer. Sullivan hinted at a deal during the combine, and with Achane entering the final year of his rookie contract, the Dolphins need to lock down their only remaining star to maintain some semblance of offensive identity. Miami is no longer trying to win the offseason; they are trying to survive it.
