Jon-Eric Sullivan just offered his most telling philosophy on Dolphins skill players to date and it’s good news for Devon Achane
Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan offered some very telling insight on his team building philosophy.
The NFL owners meetings are underway this week and it serves as the last stand for NFL decision makers and coaches to meet with the media ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. For the Miami Dolphins, that means a fresh touchpoint with general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and an update on the team’s bid for a new contract for Devon Achane.
The Dolphins’ new general manager has been busy shuffling the bottom third of Miami’s roster, navigating an NFL-record amount of dead cap, embarking on a quarterback transition, and scouting prospects for a formative 2026 NFL Draft class. Yet of all the things that Sullivan has been reported as saying (or said himself into a microphone) this week, one quote in particular sticks out. It suggests a new normal in Miami — and that the team is going to put their money where their mouth with their star player.
Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan’s big reveal is good news for Devon Achane
“I think (running back resurgence) is a good thing. I think when you’re going to start paying players that are going to touch the ball 25-30 times a game, that makes more sense than paying a guy that, on a good day, touches it seven.”
— Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan on Pro Football Talk discussing the resurgence of the running back market
Add this log to the fire for expectations around Miami and securing a deal with running back Devon Achane long-term. Sullivan conceded during this same interview that getting a deal done with Achane is a priority, but I find this quote to be particularly more revealing.
It doesn’t just tell us about Sullivan’s perspective on Achane as a player. It tells us how Sullivan perceives skill players as a whole and their value being justified and warranted by workload with the football. On one hand, it makes sense, you’re paying skill players to make plays with the ball — no one is paying top dollar for a run-blocking wide receiver or a pass protecting running back.
Those skill players who can do those traits AND make plays with the ball? They’re special. But they’re also few and far between.
So as wide receiver contracts soar north of $40 million per season in new money, it would seem safe to assume that Sullivan will stay out of the rat race and look for low cost, young receivers to anchor his wide receiver room. And that approach paves the way for plenty of compensation for Achane from the Miami Dolphins.
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