De’Von Achane enters ESPN’s RB top 10 at No. 8, sparking fresh debate in Miami

In the NFL’s summer lull, Miami Dolphins fans have been given a new talking point: De’Von Achane’s spot in ESPN’s ranking of all running backs. ESPN’s list places Achane at No. 8, a top-10 rank that still leaves room for disagreement, especially given how Miami has built parts of its offense around his speed and efficiency.

The ranking effort, according to The Phinsider’s reporting of the ESPN process, was compiled by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and based on a league-wide vote of executives, coaches and scouts. That matters because it is not simply a projection based on highlight reels. It is a market-style assessment from people who work around NFL offenses, opponent scouting and player evaluation every year.

Last season, Achane’s production backed up the case that he belongs near the very top of the position group. In 2025, he ran for 1,350 yards, which ranked fifth in the league, and he averaged 5.7 yards per carry, leading the NFL. The same report notes that his rushing average was a full half-yard better than the two closest runners behind him, which put Achane in a separate tier of efficiency for a position that often gets measured by volume and grind.

But the argument is not only about rushing. Achane also contributed heavily in the passing game, catching 67 passes for 488 receiving yards, numbers that ranked among the leaders for running backs. The Dolphins’ plan has increasingly required that their most dynamic back be able to win routes and handle touches in space, and Achane’s receiving output gave Miami a way to keep defenses uncomfortable even when rushing lanes tightened.

From a total-offense perspective, the same set of figures also frames why some viewers see the No. 8 ranking as undervaluing his overall impact. Achane scored 12 total touchdowns in 2025, a mark tied for 10th among running backs. The debate, then, is less about whether he is elite and more about whether the ranking matches how often Miami’s offense can create game-changing plays through one player.

The timing of the discussion lines up with a broader team storyline. Miami will not have its full roster together until training camp begins on July 28, according to the Yahoo Sports report. That means the Dolphins will still be sorting out roles and continuity in practice once camp opens, while fans and analysts continue to evaluate who should be seen as the true center of the offense heading into the next season. For Achane, the next checkpoint is how his role looks once the team is fully assembled and the offense can be tested in live periods.