Kansas City barbecues aren’t the only thing smoldering right now—Andy Reid’s ground game is, too. The Chiefs’ rushing attack feels like a dial-up modem in a fiber-optic world: slow, clunky, and everyone’s screaming for an upgrade. Patrick Mahomes is still behind the wheel, but the ride has gotten unexpectedly bumpy.
Meanwhile, somewhere in South Florida, a 5-foot-9 blur in aqua and orange keeps hitting turbo buttons that defenses can’t find. And it's De’Von Achane.
Following the Dolphins' disheartening 0-3 start, analysts are circling like sharks. The Chiefs' ground game is in a serious slump. Isiah Pacheco, still not himself after his fibula injury, has forced just a single missed tackle. He and Kareem Hunt have mustered a miserable 94 yards on 28 carries—3.35 per pop. That lack of a threat makes the offense painfully one-dimensional.
Defenses simply don't respect the run, collapsing the pocket around Mahomes. This isn't the path to a three-peat. Achane represents the ultimate solution.
He’s a lightning bolt with 14 career touchdowns. Achane is averaging 6.0 yards (per Pro Football Reference) every time he touches the rock. Moreover, his receiving skills are a perfect match for Andy Reid’s playbook. He has already ripped off 288 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in three games. Pacheco?
He has one missed tackle forced all year. One. Besides, Achane adds a weapon that this system has desperately lacked for years. He is the home-run hitter this lineup needs.
The Perfect Trade Storm Brewing for the Chiefs
So why would Miami move him? Simple: if the front office cleans house, 23-year-old backs with tread left become lottery tickets for draft capital. Their upcoming schedule is brutal. If losses pile up, a fire sale becomes likely. Achane, young and on a cheap contract, is a prime trade chip. The Chiefs could potentially land him for a mid-round draft pick.
A fourth-rounder might get the conversation started; a third could slam the door. That’s probably a bargain for a player of his caliber and immediate impact.
Imagine Achane in red and gold. His blazing speed would force defenses to hesitate. That split-second of doubt opens everything up for Mahomes and the receivers. Achane’s 4.32 speed and 83.7 percent catch rate would force safeties to creep up, opening those middle seams Mahomes loves to snipe. He can effectively elevate the entire offensive ecosystem. Cap hit?
A measly $1.48 million in 2025—chump change compared to the $10.4 million albatross Tyreek Hill carries. And, yes, Hill reunion rumors swirl, but Achane solves two problems at once: run and pass.
The cost of inaction is simply too high. The Chiefs already wasted premium picks trying to solve this issue. They need to give Mahomes the support he needs to work his magic. Achane is a proven commodity. This opportunity might not knock again. And sometimes, the answer to a complex problem is simply a guy who can run really, really fast.