Vikings RB Trade Dream Dies Hard

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Some onlookers believed the Miami Dolphins might continue their offseason fire sale by trading running back De’Von Achane during the draft. But thanks to new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, that idea has died.

Minnesota’s RB plan shifts back to Plan B.

The Vikings would’ve been a true contender for Achane’s services if Miami offloaded him; the Dolphins will do no such thing.

Minnesota’s Running Back Fix Will Likely Come from the Draft

Achane is one of the NFL’s top running backs.

Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) goes through pregame warmups on the field, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, preparing for a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as he loosens up ahead of kickoff in a late-season contest. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images.

Sullivan: We’re Not Trading Achane

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Sullivan addressed Achane trade rumors, saying, “He’s not available for trade. Things are going good. We’ve had some positive conversations over the last couple of days, trending in the right direction.”

“Obviously, he’s very important to what we’re doing. It’s part of professional sports. We’ll get where we need to be one way or another, but things are trending in the right direction.”

NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper added, “While there might be an offer that changes the Dolphins’ view of holding onto Achane for the long term, it doesn’t sound like there’s much reason to believe he will be anywhere but Miami come the fall.”

You can stick a fork in Achane as Minnesota’s RB plan for 2026. Sullivan took him off the market.

The Other Departures

Do you wonder why Achane is in the rumor in the first place? Simple — the Dolphins have purged their roster this offseason.

These men from the 2025 roster are no longer employed in Miami:

• Jake Bailey (P) → ATL
• Quinton Bell (ED) → Free Agency
• Larry Borom (RT) → DET
• Artie Burns (CB) → Free Agency
• K.J. Britt (LB) → NE
• Daniel Brunskill (G) → Free Agency
• Yodny Cajuste (LT) → Free Agency
• Elijah Campbell (S) → NYG
• Joe Cardona (LS) → LAR
• Bradley Chubb (EDGE) → BUF
• Ashtyn Davis (S) → Free Agency
• James Daniels (G) → Free Agency
• Rasul Douglas (CB) → Free Agency
• Liam Eichenberg (G) → Free Agency
• D’Wayne Eskridge (WR) → Free Agency
• Obinna Eze (T) → Free Agency
• Julian Hill (TE) → NE
• Tyreek Hill (WR) → Free Agency
• Alec Ingold (FB) → MIA
• Germain Ifedi (G) → Free Agency
• Caleb Johnson (LB) → Free Agency
• Jack Jones (CB) → SF
• Benito Jones (DL) → Free Agency
• Kader Kohou (CB) → KC
• Kendall Lamm (RT) → Free Agency
• Alexander Mattison (RB) → Free Agency
• Ifeatu Melifonwu (S) → Free Agency
• Jason Sanders (K) → NYG
• Cole Strange (G) → LAC
• Tua Tagovailoa (QB) → ATL
• Jaylen Waddle (WR) → DEN (Trade)
• Darren Waller (TE) → Free Agency
• Nick Westbrook (WR) → IND
• Cedrick Wilson (WR) → Free Agency
• Zach Wilson (QB) → NO

That’s 35 players — two-thirds of a 53-man roster — removed from the Dolphins’ 2026 depth chart. When folks speculated that Achane could be traded, the idea didn’t come from left field.

Vikings Employ Achane’s Former OC

How about the Vikings? Why would they have a path to Achane? Also simple: Frank Smith worked as Achane’s offensive coordinator for the last three seasons, Mike McDaniel’s trust lieutenant since the start of 2023. When the Dolphins’ brass sacked McDaniel, his coaches dispersed, with Smith landing in Minnesota as Kevin O’Connell’s assistant head coach.

Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) stands alongside team mascot T.D. during AFC practice, Feb. 2, 2026, at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse inside Moscone Center South Building in San Francisco, participating in Super Bowl week activities as players take part in league-sponsored events. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Meanwhile, the Vikings’ main running backs will be 27 or older next season, with both Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason scheduled for 2027 free agency. The club needs a younger option, and if Achane were for sale, well, the Vikings would just have to be a theoretical landing spot.

The Draft or a Different Trade?

Achane isn’t available per Sullivan’s lips, but that doesn’t mean Minnesota will be content with Jones and Mason. A new tailback is probably on the way. From the draft, the options look like this:

• Jadarian Price (Notre Dame | R2)
• Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas | R2)
• Jonah Coleman (Washington | R3)
• Emmett Johnson (Nebraska | R4)
• Kaytron Allen (Penn State | R4)
• Nick Singleton (Penn State | R4)
• Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest | R5)

The Ringer‘s Todd McShay notably said about Coleman last week, “After I watched all the running backs, I came back, and I watched him. He’s a bowling ball. He’s got these light feet. He always runs with pad level. He wears you down.”

“He brings this energy to an offense. He’ll probably fall to the fourth round, and I think a team’s gonna get a starter. I really think he’s gonna be that kind of player.”

Texas A&M Aggies running back Devon Achane (6) carries the football during game action, Nov. 26, 2022, at Kyle Field in College Station, competing against the LSU Tigers as he navigates traffic and looks for running lanes in an SEC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports.

From free agency, all credible options have dried up, but the trade market, in theory, could look like this if Minnesota somehow strikes out in next week’s draft:

• Braelon Allen (NYJ)
• Trey Benson (ARI)
• Jonathon Brooks (CAR)
• Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS)
• Ollie Gordon (MIA)
• Kaleb Johnson (PIT)
• Dylan Sampson (CLE)
• Tyjae Spears (TEN)
• Jaylen Wright (MIA)

In all likelihood, the Vikings will draft a rookie running back, and the Achane rumor mill will be a faint memory by summer.

Minnesota has nine picks on the menu next week, from Thursday through Saturday.