Vikings Linked to Fancy Running Back Trade

The Minnesota Vikings may or may not make big changes to their running back room this offseason, as fans wonder if the club will release 31-year-old Aaron Jones in favor of a younger option. Well, if they do, ESPN just so happens to have a dynamic idea: trading with the Miami Dolphins for De’Von Achane.

If Miami listens, Minnesota’s price and fit questions would get loud fast — and rightfully so.

Miami appears to be in the middle of a full reset, and in theory, Achane could be on the trade block.

Achane Would Add Explosiveness to O’Connell’s Run Game

Fans would love this one.

ESPN: Vikings a Fit for an Achane Trade

ESPN ranked the league’s Top 15 trade candidates, and Achane was mentioned near the top of the list.

Dan Graziano wrote, “The buzz: The league seems to believe the Dolphins are in a full rebuild, which means they’re getting calls on all of their star players.”

“My sense is that they’re far more likely to extend Achane’s contract than to listen to those trade offers, but in their situation, you answer the phone when it rings. So, call any Achane trade a significant long shot that would take an awfully enticing package to get done. Predicted chance of getting traded: 10%. Potential team fits: Chiefs, Texans, Vikings.”

It’s the first time this offseason that Achane has been linked to Minnesota — at all. Some fans daydreamed about a trade near the 2025 trade deadline, but those plans were merely speculative.

The Frank Smith Connect

Minnesota hired Frank Smith last month, who served as Mike McDaniel’s offensive coordinator in Miami for all four seasons until McDaniel’s termination. Smith helped to onboard Achane into the NFL and obviously knows him well.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins have already pressed the button on full roster overhaul, dropping EDGE Bradley Chubb and wide receiver Tyreek Hill earlier this month.

In theory, Achane could be next for the right price; hence the placement in ESPN’s top trade candidate articles. The Vikings could release Aaron Jones as a cap casualty in the next couple of weeks, and if so, they would search for an RB1 replacement, assuming Jordan Mason wouldn’t earn the job outright.

If available via trade, inquiring about Achane’s price tag would be mandatory. He’s that electric.

Achane’s Production

Achane’s production and improvement are simply remarkable — and clockwork:

• 2023: 997 Yards from Scrimmage | 11 TDs
• 2024: 1,499 Yards from Scrimmage | 12 TDs
• 2023: 1,838 Yards from Scrimmage | 12 TDs

ESPN’s Ben Solak added on Achane, “The Dolphins valued Achane highly at the trade deadline, and they will likely do so again. The 24-year-old running back has game-breaking speed, high-volume receiving ability and much better toughness and tackle-breaking skills than his slight frame might suggest.”

“He’s a better — and younger — talent than anyone in the loaded free agent RB market. Achane ran for 1,350 yards and eight scores last season, and his 5.7 yards per carry ranked first in the NFL.”

Achane ran a 4.32 forty at the 2023 NFL Combine. He’s 5’9″ and 190 pounds and only 24. The guy is perfect as any team’s RB1 solution.

TheFantasyFootballers.com also noted this week that the Houston Texans could inquire about an Achane trade:

The Houston Texans are expected to make a “push for a top running back in the free-agent market,” but the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander also suggests the team could look to trade for Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane this offseason as they look to improve their RB room. In free agency, Kenneth Walker III, Travis Etienne Jr., and Rico Dowdle could all be targets.

The Dolphins aren’t exactly looking to trade Achane, though, and they want to build around him with their new front office and coaching staff, so the 24-year-old isn’t exactly going to come cheap. Achane was the RB6 in half-PPR scoring in 16 games last year, accumulating 1,350 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 238 carries while also adding 67 receptions on 85 targets for another 488 yards and four touchdowns.

He’d arguably become even more promising in fantasy football with a trade to Houston, although Woody Marks will have a role after a strong rookie campaign in 2025.

Achane would have a vast trade market if Miami put him on the trade block — not just the Vikings.

Fixing the Rushing Offense, Alas

The Vikings’ rushing offense is gradually improving under O’Connell. Here’s the situation per DVOA since 2022:

• 2022: 27th
• 2023: 27th
• 2024: 19th
• 2025: 13th

Drafting Jeremiyah Love, if he tumbles down the draftboard, or effectuating the ESPN trade for Achane would assuredly shove Minnesota in the Top 10.

It’s what O’Connell must do to unlock his offense’s highest potential: obtain a dynamic RB1.