Finding a new No. 1 running back will be atop the Kansas City Chiefs' to-do list when free agency opens next week. Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt will be hitting the open market in a few days, and it's safe to say the Chiefs' backfield needs a true leader after last year's lackluster rushing attack.
That's why, with the Miami Dolphins going through yet another panic sale, going after De'Von Achane seemed realistic. Unfortunately, that may no longer be the case. According to ESPN insiders Dan Graziano and Ben Solak last week, the Dolphins don't want to move on from their playmaking running back.
"The league seems to believe the Dolphins are in a full rebuild, which means they're getting calls on all of their star players," Graziano wrote. "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."
Graziano confirmed this notion on Monday when he reported that the Dolphins plan "to work on extensions this offseason." With that in mind, the Chiefs will likely have to look elsewhere for RB1 help this offseason.
Chiefs Will Have to Pivot from De'Von Achane Dream
Achane was a dream target for Kansas City. He's arguably the most explosive and craftiest running back in the game, and his ability to pile up yards after the catch and get off to the races gives flashbacks of prime Tyreek Hill in Missouri.
Achane had more receiving yards (488) than Isiah Pacheco's rushing yards (462). In fact, he had almost three times as many rushing yards (1,350) as Pacheco, and only 462 rushing yards fewer than the Chiefs as a team (1,812).
Now that he's off the table and Breece Hall is getting the franchise tag, the Chiefs will have to enter a tight competition for the likes of Kenneth Walker III and Travis Etienne, the two biggest names in free agency.
The Chiefs may also target Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love with the No. 9 pick, but there's a strong chance that he won't even be on the board by the time they're on the clock. That doesn't leave them with many options.
Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is back in town, and the Chiefs will most likely turn the running game into a priority. They can't afford to roll into next season with Hunt, Pacheco, and Brashard Smith leading the charge, though.
There's always a chance that the Dolphins will change their minds about Achane at some point in the season, especially if he doesn't want to sign a contract extension with a rebuilding team. Then again, that's a bridge the Chiefs will have to cross when they get there, but they can't afford to base their offseason strategy on the hope that it happens.