If you’ve watched any film of the Fins lately, you’ve probably noticed something. The track stars are still there, sure. But the vibe has shifted. For a long time, the Miami Dolphins running back room felt like a luxury item—a side dish to the main course of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Honestly, that’s just not the case anymore.
As we hit January 2026, the identity of this team has basically undergone a total metamorphosis. Mike McDaniel, the guy everyone billed as a passing game mad scientist, has leaned all the way into the ground game. And leading that charge is De'Von Achane.
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The Achane Era: What the Stats Actually Tell Us
People love to talk about Achane's speed. It’s flashy. It’s "video game-ish." But if you’re looking at why he’s the definitive Miami Dolphins running back to watch, you have to look at the volume he’s handling now.
In the 2025 season, Achane wasn't just a "change of pace" guy. He was the engine. He finished the regular season with 1,350 rushing yards. That's not a typo. He averaged 5.7 yards per carry across 238 attempts. To put that in perspective, that yard-per-carry average was 1st among all NFL halfbacks with significant volume.
He’s doing things that shouldn't be possible at 191 pounds.
The most interesting part? He’s actually more dangerous when the defense knows it’s coming. According to PFF, Achane led the league in yards after contact per attempt ($4.11$). When you watch him, it sort of looks like he’s made of mercury. Defenders think they have a angle, and then he’s just... gone.
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Breaking Down the 2025 Campaign
- Week 10 vs. Buffalo: This was the turning point. 174 yards on 22 carries. Two touchdowns. He basically dismantled the Bills' front seven single-handedly.
- The "Heavy" Shift: McDaniel started using a jumbo package with Daniel Brunskill at tight end. Suddenly, Achane wasn't just running outside zone; he was hitting Duo and Counter concepts.
- The Shoulder Injury: It's the one dark cloud. Achane missed the Week 18 finale against the Patriots with a shoulder issue. It's the recurring theme of his career—limitless talent, but a frame that takes a beating.
Life After Raheem Mostert
Remember when Raheem Mostert was the "old reliable" in Miami? That feels like a lifetime ago. The Dolphins officially released the veteran back in February 2025, which paved the way for the youth movement we’re seeing now. Mostert eventually landed with the Raiders, serving as a backup to Ashton Jeanty, but his departure from Miami was the signal that the keys were being handed to the kids.
Jaylen Wright has stepped into that RB2 role, and he’s been kinda impressive.
Wright finished 2025 with 288 yards. Doesn't sound like much, right? But look at the context. In Week 14 against the Jets, when Achane went down with a rib injury, Wright stepped in and handled 24 carries for 107 yards. He’s the thunder to Achane’s lightning, even if he’s still learning how to read NFL blocks.
Then there’s the rookie, Ollie Gordon II.
The Dolphins grabbed him to add some much-needed bulk to the Miami Dolphins running back rotation. Gordon is 225 pounds of "get out of my way." While he only had a handful of carries late in the season, he’s clearly being groomed to handle the short-yardage dirty work that used to wear Achane down.
Why the Run Game Glow-Up is Real
For the first half of 2025, the Dolphins were 1-6. It looked like the McDaniel era was hitting a wall. Tua Tagovailoa was struggling, and Tyreek Hill was dealing with injuries.
Then, McDaniel did the unthinkable. He became a run-first coach.
Between Weeks 10 and 14, the Dolphins led the NFL with 192.3 rushing yards per game. Think about that. A team with Waddle and Hill decided to just run the ball down people's throats.
It worked because of the diversity. They stopped just running "outside zone" (which every defense in the league had figured out by late 2024) and started using "crack-toss" and "duo." They started winning with physicality. It’s why Aaron Brewer, the center, has become such a massive piece of this offense. He’s an elite run-blocker who finally got the scheme he deserved.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Backfield
The biggest misconception is that this is still a "finesse" group.
"Oh, the Dolphins are just fast."
Nah.
This unit is actually leading the NFL in yards per carry against eight-man boxes. That means even when the defense knows the run is coming—even when they sell out to stop it—the Miami Dolphins running back room is still finding 5 or 6 yards.
That’s a credit to the offensive line development under Butch Barry. Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson have turned into genuine road-graders. When you combine that with Achane’s vision, you get an offense that is sustainable even when the weather gets cold or Tua isn't throwing for 400 yards.
The Jaylen Wright Factor
If you're a fantasy manager or just a die-hard fan, don't sleep on Wright in 2026. He’s 208 pounds and runs a 4.38. He’s basically a slightly larger version of Achane. In the games where Achane was sidelined, Wright proved he could handle a 20-touch workload. He’s not just a "handcuff"; he’s a legit starter-in-waiting.
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Actionable Insights for 2026
If you're tracking the future of this position in Miami, here is what actually matters moving forward:
- Monitor Achane’s Durability: The shoulder injury that kept him out of Week 18 is the primary concern. His 2026 value depends entirely on whether he can handle 250+ touches again.
- The Ollie Gordon Leap: Watch for Gordon to take over the "Raheem Mostert" red zone role. Achane is the yardage king, but Gordon is built for the 3-yard plunges.
- Scheme Evolution: Look for McDaniel to continue using "Pony" personnel (two RBs on the field). With Wright and Achane's receiving ability, they are a nightmare to match up against with traditional linebackers.
- Draft Capital: Miami likely won't spend big on a free-agent back this offseason. They've invested a 4th-rounder in Wright and a high pick in Gordon. This is their room for the foreseeable future.
The days of Miami being a pass-only circus are over. The ground game is the new foundation.